Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

Full Job Description

The Phoenix VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting for a Social Worker Program Coordinator for the Caring for Older Adults and Caregiver at Home - COACH program, a home-based dementia care program at the Phoenix VA Health Care System.

The incumbent leads the COACH rural team, facilitating and promoting the use of dementia care by PACT teams, Primary Care, Neurology, and Mental Health, as appropriate to improve clinical outcomes.

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.

English Language Proficiency Requirement: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

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.

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).

Preferred Experience: Experience in Geriatrics and cognitive disorders. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Social Work Program Coordinator: Experience and Education.

Candidate must have 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.

Candidates assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level (LCSW or equivalent), 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: (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.

(b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.

(d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).

(e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 SOCIAL WORKER Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files.

Driving to/from veterans homes and community locations.

In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies.

The incumbent must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary. Major Duties:

The Social Work Program Coordinator is in a leadership position, works independently, and has both administrative and clinical responsibilities.

The incumbent works collaboratively with both existing VA providers/programs and community organizations to optimize accessibility and utilization of resources and to integrate delivery of health care services for those patients with dementia and their caregivers.

Other duties include, but not limited to: Serves veterans who are elderly, frail, have cognitive impairment, frequent and serious behavioral disturbances, lack an adequate community support network, are unable to care for themselves, and their primary caregivers have significant stress and coping difficulties with their multiple and challenging care needs.

Practices at an advanced professional level, has significant knowledge in the dementia care field and possesses managerial skills .

Manages complex clinical situations and ensure viable treatment options. Supervises multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program .

Evaluates practice and identifies areas to improve services based on target outcome measures.

Gathers relevant data, assesses the data and proposes program changes based on findings to improve outcomes.

Uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns, the application of practice guidelines and the recommendation of program enhancements.

Participates in activities that obtain feedback from patients and their family/caregivers to enrich services and interventions. Provides training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00AM-4:30PM Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Telework: Available on an Ad-Hoc basis.