Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - HPACT

Full Job Description

The Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Team (HPACT) Social Worker Coordinator, located at the San Francisco VA Health Care System's (SFVAHCS) Community Based Out-Patient Clinic catchment area, works with members of the multidisciplinary HPACT and clinic teams, providing a range of social work services, including assessment and referrals, clinical treatment, short-term case management, advocacy and service coordination, outreach, and linkage with VA and community services.

Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C.

§ 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000.

To qualify for appointment as a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) , GS-0185-12, in VHA, all applicants must meet the following 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.

Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 job series at 12 grade level in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to Advanced Practice Level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered in the VA Title 38 Hybrid Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation series, 0185, with permanent appointment and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 (1) Experience and 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.

(2) 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.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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: See Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) website for VA specific qualification standards: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO).

Physical Demands: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc.

Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their daily activities. Light lifting and carrying - under 15 pounds.

Travel Demand: This position is required to travel up to 75% of work will be performed in a wide range of settings, including the medical center; street-based settings, in client, group or family homes; in community-based outpatient settings, community agencies; or in transport vehicles as well as meeting employers (public or government).

Driver's License: This position is required to possess an Current and Active California driver's license and maintain the license in a good standing. Major Duties:

The job functions and responsibilities for this position as Social Worker (Program Coordinator)-HPACT are listed below but not limited to: Possess knowledge of the needs of the homeless population in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The HPACT program is staffed by a full-time Social Work Coordinator, part-time Physician, Psychiatrist, Registered Nurse, and Licensed Vocational Nurse, in addition to the full-time Social Worker Case manager.

All members participate in outreach targeting chronically homeless Veterans who are "street homeless," in shelters, and other temporary housing situations, who are eligible for VA care but who have not established ongoing primary care in the SFVA system.

Possess the knowledge and experience in the use of medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment modalities, and is able to complete a comprehensive psychosocial assessment to identify strengths, needs, social support systems, disabilities, and barriers to accessing housing and available treatment options.

Possess the general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services related to special programs, service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pensions, and benefits that are available on the federal and state levels, and through city/county social services.

Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct a psychosocial assessment with a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds.

The assessment includes documentation of identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence, as well as strengths, limitations, coping skills, and internal/external support and service needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status Be sensitive to the needs of homeless Veterans and their families, realizing that homelessness creates added stress on Veterans and their loved ones.

Develops the assessment in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, available family members and significant others Is aware of the special challenges in working with Veterans with co-morbid physical, mental health, and substance use diagnoses, and is able to work with this Veteran population.

Is responsible for outreach to homeless Veterans and can work confidently with city/county agencies to increase resources for "street homeless" or marginally housed Veterans.

The goal is to increase stability in Veterans' lives and assist Veterans in returning to independent and healthy lifestyles.

Provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned staff.

developing and monitoring staff compliance with practice, standards and guidelines on documentation, workload, data entry, ethical practice and service delivery.

Duty Location: 401 Third Stress, San Francisco, CA 94107 Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm, or determined by the hiring manager