Summary
This position is assigned to manage, directly and oversee the Geriatrics Social Work Programs which include HHA, ADHD, VDC, CHN, HBPC, CLC, Respite and Hospice Care and to work with and steps into manage the duties of the Chief of Social Work Service when the Chief is not available.
Provides oversight to inpatient and outpatient services and treatment for patients in geriatric and extended care, palliative care, hospice care, home-based primary care, community care.
Duties
Supports the Chief of Social Work in the activities involved in running the Social Work Service and maintaining a leadership role in the professional standards for all medical center social workers. Will oversee the SW Geriatrics Programs as well as be the Chief's alternate and back-up.
Makes decisions regarding work problems presented by the supervisors and to collaborate with others in negotiating, deciding upon, and/or coordinating social work related changes affecting other programs. This position is required to advise service line managers on problems involving the relationship of social work activities to the various units and programs.
Participates the recruitment tasks, grievances and disciplinary cases. Consults with training needs and decides types of training problems. Assists in a variety of areas to assure that staff has the optimal resources to carry out their responsibilities effectively and efficiently. Develops procedures for, and ensures the implementation and achievement of, the provision of social work services to medical facility patients all Geriatric and SW programs.
Develops and monitors standards of clinical practice/standards of care for Social Work, including development of care guidelines, manuals, and guides to professional practice. Develops consistent standard operating procedures required to accomplish clinical care interventions and ensures that they are followed. Develops patient education materials for the Geriatrics program Social Work.
Oversees the process of staff recruitment, development of functional statements and positions descriptions, and the smooth operation of the Social Work Professional Standards Board. Ensures there is a system in place for orientation and continuing education of staff. Evaluates and consults on the social work role in various programs, including social work activities in the service lines. May consult on interventions to resolve administrative problems and may participate in program evaluations.
Assumes responsibility for administrative functions of Social Work Service, such as the annual Service budget submission and management of funds; management of the Patient Welfare Fund; travel and education funding requests; fulfillment of Social Work responsibilities with the Compensation and Pension Unit; development and maintenance of a variety of contracts, i.e., for temporary registry staffing, emergency housing, case management, and other needs; linkage with the VISN Contracting Office for COR training, preparation of contract documents, assessment of quality, and certifying invoices; and tracking the special funding for homeless programs.
Briefs management orally and in writing on a regular basis concerning matters related to Social Work Service, in order to provide information required to make effective decisions for program planning. Monitors the adequacy of staffing as well as productivity, assisting the Chief in preparing justifications for additional positions or re-allocation of existing positions as needed. Coordinates with Informatics the administration/file-building of Vista/CPRS software packages for Social Work.
Oversees development of measurable social work treatment protocols and practice models in order to facilitate the use of statistical processes and analysis tools. Compiles and disseminates social work quality management findings, actions, and outcomes to social workers, medical center staff, and leadership personnel. Assists supervisors in program development and policies and procedures, and data collection for each program area. Assists in the preparation for accreditation agencies. Assures all necessary metrics designed by VACO, VISN, the Medical Center or within the service are tracked and appropriately analyzed.
Responsible for the preparation of reports, as assigned by the Chief, Medical Center Director, or Central Office and assists with all data tracking and analysis as needed from VACO, VISN, medical center and programs.
Serves the Medical Center at large in a variety of capacities. Having consultative authority, the SWS Program Manager serves as a vital professional influence and resource to local Leadership in their compliance with standards defined by accrediting organizations, such as the Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards applicable to Social Work.
Oversees academic affiliations for social work practice, including the coordination of Social Work Field Practice placements at the Medical Center.
Provides consultation to medical center leadership on implementation and ongoing operations of special VHA programs. Provides direct Supervision to one or more social workers and/or programs, as needed in the overall organization of the Social Work Service.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a trial period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- Education. Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
- Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to advanced practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
- Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
- English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Social Worker (Program Manager) GS-14
- Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS- 13 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Individual may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.
- Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
- Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites, which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
- Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
- Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.
- Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.
- Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations
References: See Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) website for VA specific qualification standards: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO).
Travel: Up to 25% to visit different VA sites to check-in with staff, visit facilities, etc.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- License
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript, license and resume.
- Cover Letter
- License
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/18/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12780987.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.