Social Worker (SCI Coordinator)

SummaryNOTE: This announcement is open until closed. The initial cutoff date will be Thursday, March 19, 2020 and every two weeks after that or until the position is filled.ResponsibilitiesThe SCI Coordinator is a master's prepared social worker with responsibility for managing the facility's SCI program and for coordinating SCI treatment services provided to veterans. The SCI Coordinator facilitates efficient and appropriate delivery of care across episodes of care within the "Hub" (located at VA Palo Alto Health Care System) and "Spoke" Northern California Health Care System (VA facilities where locally accessible primary care is provided) System of Care. The SCI Coordinator plans, develops, and implements components of the SCI/D program within the Hub and Spoke System of Care. This includes but is not limited to: -Develops a system to identify SCI patients served by the facility and community who belong in this special disability group. This may involve use of the Spinal Cord Dysfunction (SCD) Registry, Patient Treatment File searches, VISTA and CPRS records, SCD reports and/or Classification reports, Patient Data Exchange, Network Health Exchange, and contacts within the community. This developed system alerts the SCI Coordinator of admissions or outpatient appointments of veterans receiving care anywhere within the facility for appropriate SCI consultation and potential referral to an SCI Center. -Serves as the point of contact for all inquiries regarding the SCI program. This may include stakeholders (e.g. veterans, families, community hospitals and nursing homes, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and other Veterans Service Organizations), Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Strategic Healthcare Group (SCI&D, SHG) and Congressional inquiries. -Coordinates an annual comprehensive preventive health evaluation for each enrolled SCI patient at the SCI Center or at appropriate SCI Outpatient Support Clinics. -Develops a procedure for referrals between the SCI Center and local VA and/or community hospitals and facilitates appropriate and timely inter-facility transfers. -Develops policy and procedures to ensure compliance with Joint Commission and internal VA regulatory bodies such as EPRP, and other accrediting bodies and regulatory standards as needed. -Researches community resources (local, state, and national) that are available to provide continuity of care and to enhance the quality of life of the veteran. Disseminates information on resources throughout the VISN. -Explores and analyzes long term care placement options in the community, i.e. assisted living facilities, nursing homes, handicapped VANCHCS July 2014 accessible housing, and state veterans' homes. Identifies unmet needs of the SCI population and works collaboratively with the VHA Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care and community agencies to develop and implement solutions. -Completes psychosocial evaluation and assessment and periodic reassessments of each patient served, which provides a comprehensive social database to identify psychological, social, and vocational needs and the appropriate treatment and services to be provided. -Develops and implements realistic and achievable social work treatment plans, as part of the interdisciplinary treatment plans, that reflect an ability to effectively utilize a broad range of treatment modalities. -Provides individual, family, and group counseling aimed at helping the veteran and his family End practical solutions to complex problems. -Advocates on behalf of the veteran to ensure that services and benefits are obtained in a timely manner and in keeping with the VA's goal for excellence in customer service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am to 4:30pm.Financial Disclosure Report: Not RequiredRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/31/2020. 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English Education: Must 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 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 accreditation standards for a master of social work. (COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION) Licensure : Social Worker Coordinators must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. (COPIES OF LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION) 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). Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 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. 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. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker, available in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Travel to various sites. Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; Working closely with others; Working alone.EducationIMPORTANT: 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationThis job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.