Social Worker (Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Coordinator)

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to Current VHA employees nationwide.

Major Duties:

• The position of Coordinator, Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program is fully responsible for carrying out the responsibilities of HVO separate yet interrelated roles, namely, Coordinator and Outreach Clinician. The program's scope of responsibility ranges throughout the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHCS) catchment area.
• As Coordinator, the incumbent will be fully responsible for the management and coordination of the HCHV program. This includes developing all aspects that are needed to provide optimum care.
• Program Management: The HCHV Coordinator is responsible for functional leadership and coordination of other HCHV program staff, as designated by the Chief, Social Work Service.
• Transitional Living Program: The HCHV Coordinator will have responsibility for the development, coordination, selection and evaluation of community residences in the catchment area; will facilitate the interpretation and application of VA guidelines to ensure standards maintained to promote the health, safety, welfare and happiness of the homeless veteran.
• Standards: The HCHV Coordinator assures the compliance of the HCHV program with all existing VA policy regulations, CARF standards, medical center policies and procedures, and other relevant requirements.
• The Coordinator ensures continuity of patient care in the development and implementation of the plan of care. Facilities evaluation and treatment of veterans in HCHV contract facilities and participates in case conferences with those veterans; plans will reflect continuity of care including expected short and long-range outcomes. Collaborates with community agencies and other VA programs to develop and implement services for homeless veterans.
• Staffing: The HCHV Coordinator may make recommendations as it relates to program staffing as a member of the interview panel which will help with forming a functioning interdisciplinary team; the Coordinator can assist with training and consultation on a regular basis.
• Representation: The HCHV Coordinator will represent the HCTIV Program both within the VA Medical Center (VAMC) and the community at large.
• Staff Development: Provides orientation and on-going training to Social Workers and interdisciplinary team members. Conducts staff development programs for Social Workers and takes responsibility for providing opportunities to help staff update their Social work practice skills and acquire new knowledge in contemporary treatment modalities.
• Serves as a mentor to other social workers, particularly those at the entry level. Is viewed by Social Workers and interdisciplinary team members as a senior clinician with advanced practice skills and expertise.
• Student Training: As a field instructor or preceptor, supervises Social Work graduate students and provides a training experience for them in Social Work. Works with students to develop training plans and goals. Regularly assesses student's progress toward training goals and student's overall performance.
• Provides reports to the school of social work filed liaison on the student's progress. Participates in the school of social work's field instructor training programs, and the affiliation process. May serve as an adjunct faculty member.
• Provides training to students, residents, interns, and fellows from other disciplines. Instructs them on psychosocial treatment and on the services available from Soda] Workers. Helps them understand family dynamics and the impact of psychosocial issues and problems on the veteran's health and response to treatment. Conducts formal workshops and classes for staff.
• Evaluation: The Coordinator plans, coordinates and evaluates aspects of the Homeless Program to ensure the provision of care and continuity of service for outreach and coordination of care.
• Collaboration: Collaborates with community agencies and other programs to develop and implement services for homeless veterans.
• Transitional Housing: Oversees and supervises applications and implementation of ensuing programs pertaining to the HCHV program to ensure compliance with VA policy, procedures and standards of care.
• Monitors the payment of all bills to ensure prompt reimbursement of charges, which were accrued as a result of HCHV contacts and agreements.
• Statistics: Manages the accuracy of the statistical flow of information from the HCHV Program between services both within and without the local VA and other local, state and federal agencies.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 62619F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part).
• 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 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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:
GS-12 Experience/Education:One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. 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.

Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator 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 of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.(b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.(c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.(d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).(e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 12 .

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

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 (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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