Career Center

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more 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 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Program Coordinator), 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, candidates 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. Preferred Experience: Program Management Experience in Dementia Outpatient Clinic (or related programs) 5+ years. Clinical Skill experience with Geriatric population & families (experience in running, collaboration of Interdisciplinary Team (IDT's) meetings etc.) 5+ years. Computer skills; Data collection; tracking 5+ years. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 September 10, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing, or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant for appointment. The loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Reasonable accommodation may also be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a position. Reasonable accommodation may include but is not limited to: the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Participation in outreach events and collaborate with community stakeholders. Establish a Dementia Care Training Program - for staff and caregivers. Liaison between Geriatric evaluation clinic & PACT to follow up on Veterans with dementia to manage the care needs of veterans. Supports coordination of care needs of veterans diagnosed with dementia and cognitive impairment. Provides education to families and veterans about their condition and what to expect with progression of dementia, provide resources, coordinate care to assist with transitioning of care as the care needs change. Will be a liaison for coordination of care needs from inpatient setting to outpatient. Check-in on the veterans regularly, evaluate and document their progress. Attend ongoing training and courses to keep abreast of new developments in managing veterans with dementia. Treat veterans with empathy and respect. Assist care team with developing and assessing care needs of the veterans as they change. Provide education to staff on dementia identification, follow up, help streamline a pathway with available resources. Be part of any quality improvement opportunities in relation to dementia care. Able to embrace whole health approaches and age friendly health systems initiatives. Consult with veterans and family members to discuss their health problems. Identification of cost-effective resources with the greatest potential is necessary to meet the desired outcome is essential. The Care Coordinator conducts a comprehensive assessment of the patient, their family and support systems to set goals, reassess the patient's progress towards those goals and change the plan as needed in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. Distinct from other forms of case management, Care Coordinator addresses both the individual's biopsychosocial status as well as the state of the social system in which case management is both micro and macro in nature; intervention occurs at both the patient/family and systems levels. It requires the care coordinator to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship with the patient, which may include linking the patient with systems that provide him/her with needed services, resources and opportunities. The Dementia Care Coordinator navigates the health care system with the patient and acts as a patient advocate. Each member of the healthcare team within a facility may interact with the care coordinator as he/she assesses, communicates, facilitates care and advocates within their role. Communication becomes an integral part of this role including but not limited to: face to face and telephonic communication, written communication within the medical record and on other inter and intra facility documents as appropriate. The Care Coordinator is responsible for follow-up with all case management referrals (both written and verbal) upon receipt provides coordination of within the assigned area; according to the VACO, VISN and VA policy/procedures. The care coordinator will make appropriate referrals to outpatient or other services (VA/Non-VA) to address psychosocial concerns. The care coordinator will enter all veteran/family contact in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional to ensure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff. This information will be reviewed on a regular basis. The care coordinator will establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers end stakeholders with the VA and outside community agencies. Care coordinator will attend all appropriate staff meetings (mental health interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, dementia care committee meetings, and other committees as appropriate, etc.) and perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday- Friday: 08:00 am - 04:30pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: FS910990\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Eve Harper at eve.harper@va.gov or Brian Huhman at brian.huhman@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinators for questions/assistance.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]