Summary Serves as a Social Worker (Home Health Coordinator) for the Social Work Service and Community Nursing Home, Adult Day Health Care as well as providing support to other home health care programs, such as the Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program and independently provides a full range of social work services for Veterans admitted into the program. Services include high-quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community providers. Responsibilities VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz\_ua\_UU Duties: A. Clinical Functions: Serves as a professional social worker assigned to the GEC Home Health Department within the Social Work Service. Actively works as a member of the home health team to facilitate timely clinical review and authorization process for HHA and home respite referrals and renewals for Veterans from a large geographic area. Works collaboratively with the Veteran, family members, significant others, PACT, mental health, and specialty services to convey the treatment. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. Understands the problems of advancing age and respect for the diversification of the aging Veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric Veteran and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this Veteran population. Conducts clinical case management services to address the social determinants of health of the Veteran, often at a time when the Veteran is experiencing crisis. This includes conducting high risk screening for child/elder abuse/neglect, intimate partner violence, homicidal ideation, and suicide risk. Provides interventions such as brief counseling and patient centered solution focused counseling to Veterans and/or their families and caregivers. Assess and provides interventions that overcome the obstacles to treatment and/or follow through with recommended treatments. Case management occurs in tandem with other health professionals and programs both internal and external. Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs. Will be responsible for educating the Veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his/her surrogate decision-maker. Participates in program planning, identifies program deficiencies, takes corrective action, and keeps the GEC Social Work Supervisor informed of all pertinent activities. Establishes and maintains systematic and effective working relationships with personnel of the Medical Center and community agencies relative to areas of assignment to exchange information, arrange referral, resolve problems in service delivery or develop new resources. B. Administrative Functions: Administratively responsible for consult management, timely completion, and associated documentation per VA national policy. The incumbent will identify existing barriers to Veterans accessing care and address through leadership channels to identify potential tests and steps of change to advocate for improvement of systems issues. May attend community meetings, workgroups, trainings, and programs as indicated. The incumbent will perform the following duties as needed: Maintain current list of approved agencies for home health services, ensuring this information is distributed to referring providers and team members. Provide consultation, education, training, and technical assistance regarding the latest program developments and changes, to medical center staff and community-based service providers. Monitor and coordinate authorizations for Veterans with ongoing care needs, utilizing a proactive approach to monitor reports in the Home Health Database, Consult Tracking Manager. Complete appropriate documentation, review, and follow-up on Veteran or agency complaints regarding home health services. Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility. Be mindful of and keep their supervisor apprised of their practice as well as problems and recommended solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility. Assume responsibility for professional development. Maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Social Work standards, Long Term Care Institute standards, and facility standards. Document social work interventions and activities in the Veteran's clinical record utilizing CPRS, in accordance with facility policy, and ensure appropriate hand off when transferring of patient care. Perform all work functions related to care coordination and community resources as it relates to Veterans and their families. Complete a scope of practice prior to interacting with any patients without clinical supervision. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Qualifications: 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. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts(s) are acceptable 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/. Copies of licensure/certification must be submitted with application packet if you wish to be considered at the GS-11 grade level. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a Social Worker. Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-9: Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. Social Worker, GS-11: Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. OR Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate has experience working in medical settings (Inpatient or Outpatient) with elderly population and discharge planning. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is the GS-11 level. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs); use of fingers, both hands required; walking & standing (1 hour); both hands required; Operation of motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted). Environmental factors include exposure to: excessive heat/cold, dust/fumes, working alone & with others, working around moving vehicles, overhead light, ambient noise, smells from being in close proximity with others (including soap, shampoo, perfume, food and/or lingering tobacco smoke from smokers). A current, valid driver's license is required. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.