Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This occupation is listed on the OIG Determination of Veterans Health Administration's Occupational Staffing Shortages Fiscal Year (FY26). Therefore, this vacancy announcement is exempt from Veterans Preference. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties and functions of the Social Worker (Program Coordinator) include but are not limited to the following:

• The incumbent performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to state, local, and private agencies, and universities. Technical assistance provided to monitor activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information. In addition, the incumbent uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. The incumbent performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies (public, DOD, state, etc.).
• Responsible for coordinating, scheduling, and assuring that initial orientations are completed for approved Homemaker/Home Health Aide (H/HHA) and In-home Respite community providers. This includes community providers approved in CCN, local contract or Provider Agreement comply with VA Directives and standard operating procedures. Must have a good knowledge of Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Standards (CMS) concerning NIC programs. This includes providing current data to local, VISN and/or VACO Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) as requested.
• Responsible for overseeing the admission of Veterans into the H/HHA and In-home Respite Programs and to ensure they meet VA eligibility requirements. The incumbent is responsible for assuring that Quality Assurance monitors related to this program are completed and reported in accordance with Medical Center Policy. The incumbent is responsible for reporting and investigating Sentinel/Adverse Events to Central Office via the GEC Social Work Supervisor, Chief Social Work Service, to the VISN liaison for the H/HHA and In-home Respite Programs.
• Responsible for assuring the oversight of services and care coordination for Veterans admitted to the H/HHA and In-home Respite Programs in accordance with the Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) Field Guidebook within stated timeframes. He/She monitors documentation to ensure it is completed after each visit and reauthorized timely, in the Veteran's VA Medical Record using approved templates and software program; e.g. CPRS, VistA, HSRM, Cerner, etc..
• Provides consultation/education to Veterans and families on community resources and VA entitlements. The incumbent acts as liaison between VA and the approved community provider.
• Works independently in providing appropriate documentation, review and follow-up of complaints within all NIC Programs. This includes follow-up on substantiated complaints against community providers, which may be investigated by the Third-Party Administrator (TPA). He/she is also responsible for organizing and preparing reports concerning the NIC Programs for the GEC Social Work Supervisor, Chief Social Work Service, Medical Center Director, VISN Liaison, and Central Office.
• Provides both informal and formal education to VA staff, as well as NIC Program staff and community providers, on any changes in VA policy concerning their specific programs. The incumbent attends and participates in VISN and VACO monthly and quarterly conference calls, disseminating information to VA staff and agency staff as indicated.
• Attends and or participates in a variety of monthly and quarterly conference calls, disseminating needed information to VA staff and community agency staff as warranted.
• Evaluates his/her practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or other organized means. Is active in and accepts responsibility for the development and maintenance of professional standards of treatment.
• As a Social Worker Program Coordinator, supervises Social Work graduate students and provides 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 field 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.
• Participates and assists with coordination of coverage for social work services on the assigned unit/service, and when needed for other programs or teams both inpatient and outpatient as needed.
• As a Social Worker Program Coordinator, the incumbent provides clinical supervision to unlicensed and/or Social Work interns with the Orlando VAHCS to staff to obtain license.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm or, 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Telework: On Ad-hoc basis only, depending on service needs.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 80043F

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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

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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written. English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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 tohttp://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/
• Grandfathering Provision. 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

Social Worker (Program Coordinator) GS-12

• Experience and 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.
  • Preferred Experience
    • Experience with Geriatrics & Extended Care programs and services provided in the community to assist Veterans with aging in place, such as: Homemaker/Home Health Aide, Home Respite, Community Adult Day Health Care and Veteran Directed Care programs.
    • Experience in performing assessments, treatment planning, care coordination, crisis intervention, and advocacy. Competency of care needs related to geriatric and Veteran populations.
    • Experience in locating and obtaining VA and community resources specific to this group and assisting with linkage to appropriate referrals.
    • Able to work independently providing psychosocial support to client populations with highly complex health and/or mental health problems.
• 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:
  • Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
  • Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
  • Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
  • Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
  • 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/.

Physical Requirements. Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. Position requires walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Work is performed in a wide range of settings, including office/clinic setting with minimal risks that require normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The position requires the ability to handle multiple tasks in sometimes stressful situations while engaging in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility
2. All other VA employees

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:

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

• Resume
• Transcript
• Advanced Practice Level License (Please see Grade Determination section)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

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

* Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
** This occupation is listed on the OIG Determination of Veterans Health Administration's Occupational Staffing Shortages Fiscal Year (FY26). Therefore, this vacancy announcement is exempt from Veterans Preference.

Next steps