Social Worker Program Coordinator (120 Day Detail)- Inpatient Mental Health

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This detail opportunity is only open to current and permanent employees of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center and it's associated clinics

The incumbent will serve as the Inpatient Mental Health Program Coordinator, providing administrative and operational oversight for inpatient mental health services within a 45-bed program. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with VA and accreditation standards, overseeing admissions, discharges, and transitions of care, monitoring program performance and outcomes, and promoting high-quality, recovery-oriented services for Veterans.

The selected employee will provide leadership and supervision for a multidisciplinary team, support workforce planning and staff development, manage resources and operational needs, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and lead quality improvement initiatives that enhance patient care and program effectiveness.

In addition to administrative responsibilities, the incumbent may provide clinical consultation, assessment, and therapeutic interventions; support training activities for social work and interdisciplinary trainees; and participate in program development efforts that strengthen service delivery, transitions of care, and Veteran satisfaction.

Key Areas of Focus

• Inpatient Mental Health program oversight and administration
• Staff supervision and multidisciplinary team leadership
• Quality assurance and performance improvement
• Admissions, discharges, and transitions of care
• Resource, budget, and operational management
• Accreditation and regulatory compliance
• Community and stakeholder collaboration
• Recovery-oriented, Veteran-centered care delivery

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30pm, however due to the nature of the work there may be a requirement for nights and weekend availability in emergent situations.

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 dentification 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

Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States
English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)

Education and/or Experience Combination -
You must possess 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work.

License or Certification* - You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.

Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

Experience Requirement: You must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Serving as the sole practitioner in a specialty program and typically provide direct patient care services in the program area; oversees the daily operation of the program, develop policies and procedures for program operation, and prepare reports and statistics; may be responsible for the program's budget, developing and monitoring staff compliance with practice, standards and guidelines on documentation, workload, data entry, ethical practice and service delivery; provides analysis and evaluation of clinical program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility.
• Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
• 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 including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action.
• Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
• Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations.

Physical Requirements:
Physical qualifications require the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients. Must have good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity. Must be clean and
neat in appearance. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative. Work is accomplished predominantly on the nursing unit and through escorting to various clinics or hospital areas. The physical surroundings involve working with the acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, which may cause discomfort related to negative verbal and physical activities from these patients. Position also may require minimal travel into the community to meet with community agencies and partners who provide assistance and support to the facility and its Veterans. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing;
viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Work involves regular and recurring exposure to infection and contagious diseases. Infection Control Standard Precautions are required as safety precautions; such as hand hygiene, gloves, gowns or masks, which may be
required for personal protective equipment and to promote a safe environment.

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:

• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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.

• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Next steps