Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

NOTE: This multi-discipline recruitment is being conducted and will result in the hiring of one of the two disciplines: Physician, or Psychologist.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Reviews/performs/provides duties and responsibilities of the incumbent's discipline; psychiatrist or psychologist or social worker or nurse or licensed professional mental health counselor or licensed marriage and family therapist.
• As the mental health service chief, Interpret and support the VISN mission, vision and values, while operating in accordance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policies, facility and VISN policies, and standards of federal professional and accrediting agencies external to VHA.
• Adhere to the Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules and Regulations as set forth by the medical staff.
• Provide direction and support to Mental Health staff regarding equipment technology, policies and procedures employed by the VA Maine Healthcare System (VAMHCS) and ensure that all requirements of regulatory agencies such as the Joint Commission are met
• Review quality control and quality improvement procedures performed by VA personnel in Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) and make recommendations for improvements, corrective actions, etc.
• Participate/review and document performance improvement activities, including, but not limited to, external review programs, internal peer review programs, and accreditation requirements.
• Serve as an active member of various Medical Center committees.
• Provide accurate, concise, timely documentation of care in the electronic medical record (Computerized Patient Record System -CPRS) on each patient care occurrence.
• Maintain a peer review process for all MHSL clinicians.
• Demonstrate knowledge and maintains standards in the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment (RME).
• Financially manage the MHSL.
• Collaborate with the Chief of Staff to develop and execute a strategic plan and annual budget for the service line.
• Oversee matters such as promotions, selections, on the job training, awards, EEO complaints, labor relations, disciplinary actions, training, and career development.
• Develop mechanisms to assure staff competency and continuing education compliance.
• Establish employee performance plans that align with Agency and Departmental goals and objectives and is responsible for evaluating and communicating employee performance.
• Develop a team that is technically competent and understands the interrelationship of the MHSL with other facility Service Lines and departments to achieve the mission of the Medical Center, VISN and VA.

• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by a special rate.
• Selectee may be required to work at any VA Maine Healthcare System campus, as needed.
• May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.
• Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process.
• 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.

• 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.

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: 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 the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master 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. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

1. Ability to supervise and manage a large group of professional staff effectively.
2. Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution and ability to work collaboratively with supervisors from other units.
3. Ability to accurately apply the qualification standards, assesses the potential of current and prospective employees, and promotes their professional development.
4. Ability to develop appropriate productivity standards for professional staff, often across multiple program lines.
5. Knowledge of the goals and objectives of the medical center and VISN and ability to communicate these to subordinates.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other applicants.

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
• Resume
• Transcript

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• T38/HT38 Resume
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

• Within grade increases at the highest grade held
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old
• SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Next steps