Health and Wellness Coach

Full Job Description

Health and Wellness Coaches provide services to Veterans seeking self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values.

They provide support that promotes health and enhances well-being, which may support improved health related outcomes, and quality of life.

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 and/or Experience: (1) Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR (2) Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR (3) Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Certification: (1) List of certifications. Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).

(2) Exception for Non-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches.

(a) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification, may be given a temporary appointment as Health and Wellness Coach under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405(c)(2).

(b) Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Health and Wellness Coach at or above the full performance level or other designated occupation with the appropriate training and expertise.

(c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted until certification is obtained.

(d) Temporary appointments of non-certified Health and Wellness Coaches may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (e) Failure to Obtain Certification.

In all cases, Health and Wellness Coaches must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of their placement into the occupation.

At the time of appointment, the Human Resources (HR) Office staff in collaboration with the supervisor will provide the uncertified Health and Wellness Coaches with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline.

Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment 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 outlined in paragraph 4, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Health and Wellness Coach GS-07: (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of health and wellness coaching processes and techniques.

(b) Ability to promote positive lifestyle choices. (c) Ability to effectively communicate in writing through a variety of modalities. (d) Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally.

Health and Wellness Coach, GS-09. (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of current research literature related to health and wellness, including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being.

(b) Skill in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one, couple or group modalities.

(c) Skill in exercising effective interpersonal communication techniques to develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships.

(d) Ability to assist the client in developing a comprehensive personalized health plan based on a patient's action-oriented goals.

(e) Ability to identify resources internal and external to the organization that are necessary for achieving patient overall health and well-being goals.

(f) Ability to use information technology (IT) equipment and various/emerging technologies to carry out work responsibilities. (g) Ability to document patient information using appropriate systems.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 09.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 07 to 09. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Major Duties:

Health and Wellness Coaches provide services to Veterans seeking self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values.

They provide support that promotes health and enhances well-being, which may support improved health related outcomes, and quality of life.

Health and Wellness Coaches work with individuals on identifying their motivation for change, determining goals for their work together, developing sustainable action steps toward achieving their short- and long-term goals, implementing action plans, and assessing progress in order to adjust plans as necessary.

Health and Wellness Coaches provide support to positively influence the relationship between lifestyle and health outcomes.

They guide the exploration of behaviors that may increase the risk of developing or worsening chronic disease and those that reduce the likelihood of chronic illness.

Health and Wellness Coaches may collaborate with Veterans and Veterans' primary care and specialty care treatment providers to develop goals designed to improve health and well-being, reduce impact from chronic illness and lessen the likelihood of admission to the emergency department, inpatient care or long-term care.

Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630 Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 99325-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized