Social Worker (Assistant Chief)

Full Job Description

The Social Worker (Assistant Chief) serves in an administrative position with full authority and responsibility for providing administrative support to the Chief of Social Work.

The incumbent, as assigned, will assist the Chief of Social Work in overseeing the practice of social workers at the facility.

The candidate will perform assignments that are collateral to primary duties but deemed necessary to meet the needs of the organization and VISN.

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.

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 tohttp://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.

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: (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level).

Social Worker (Assistant Chief) GS-13: Experience/Education: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

Candidates 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, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.

Skill in administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions, clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments, and quality improvement.

Knowledge of administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions, clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments, and quality improvement.

Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to social work practice. Ability to develop, maintain, and oversee social work programs in all settings.

Knowledge of social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.

Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements.

Preferred Experience: None Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with the work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation.

see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that require normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Assists the Chief of Social Work in making decisions regarding work problems presented by subordinate social workers.

He/she collaborates with others in negotiating, deciding upon, and/or coordinating social work-related changes affecting other programs.

Provides education and consultation to VA staff, Veterans, and their families, and staff of non-VA organizations regarding social work practice standards, the range of services provided by VA social workers, and social work professional role and responsibilities.

Assists the Chief of Social Work in making selections for supervisory and non-supervisory positions, hearing group grievances and serious employee complaints, reviewing serious disciplinary cases (i.e., those proposing suspensions and removals), and disciplinary problems involving key employees, etc.

The individual consults with specialists regarding training needs and decides types of training problems related to the identified problems of the supervised wards/units.

Assists the Chief of Social Work in developing procedures for and ensures the implementation and achievement of the provision of social work services to medical facility patients on inpatient and outpatient programs.

Provides, or ensures that professional staff provides advice, assistance, and consultation to community health and welfare agencies and councils and other community groups to enhance the provision of social services to veteran patients in the community.

The incumbent assists the Chief in developing and monitoring standards of clinical practice/standards of care for Social Work, including development of care guidelines, manuals, and guides to professional practice.

Develops consistent standard operating procedures required to accomplish clinical care interventions and ensures that they are followed.

Incumbent is responsible for developing patient education materials for Social Work.

The incumbent assists the Chief in developing, implementation, and evaluation of risk and resource management components of social work professional practice.

He/she will ensure compliance with accrediting agencies, support research programs, and monitor productivity.

Assists the Chief in making recommendations for recruitment of staff and ensures responsibilities for orientation and continuing education of staff.

Evaluates and consults on the social work role in various programs.

Manages and directs social work activities in the Care Lines including interventions to resolve administrative problems and participates in program evaluations.

Briefs the Social Work Chief orally and in writing on a regular basis concerning matters related to Social Work Service, in order to provide information required to make effective decisions for program planning.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm; subject to change based on the needs of the facility Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 01000F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized