Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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.
- English Language Proficiency
- 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).
- Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
- May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
- Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines.
- Skill in a range of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement.
- Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services by supervised social workers.
- Ability to delegate authority, manage priorities, coordinate work, and follow up on pending issues to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion.
- Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems, develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service.
- Ability to provide staff training and development.
Preferred experience:
- A minimum of two (2) years professional experience with program administration, such as translating management goals and policy, and/or developing and implementing solutions in support of sound program and service operations in the delivery of outpatient mental health (e.g. BHIP or PTSD) and recovery-oriented treatment.
- Dependability and the ability to function independently.
- Clinical and administrative leadership experience in complex, interdisciplinary health care systems.
- Ability to gain the trust and respect of a highly diverse staff of peers and subordinates in order to achieve the mission of honoring and serving Veterans through excellence in healthcare.
- Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
- Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
- Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives, and adapt work operations to new and changing programs, staffing, and budget requirements, etc.
- Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
- Ability to effectively supervise and manage subordinate employees from a variety of professional backgrounds.
- Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution.
- Skill in working collaboratively with other disciplines and supervisors.
- Demonstrated understanding of factors that impact access to mental health and experience working to balance access and quality.
- Demonstrated familiarity and experience with VA rules and regulations relating to community care, including the Mission Act.
- Ability to understand and use systems redesign or other performance improvement methodologies to optimize the delivery of high-quality healthcare services
- Ability to integrate research and training programs smoothly into the functioning of clinical care programs.
- Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
- Knowledge of, and ability to appropriately utilize, evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines and ability to guide staff in using these tools.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39.The full performance level of this vacancy is 13.
Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. The incumbent must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).