Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Social Worker (Program Coordinator) in Winter Park, Florida
Summary The incumbent is the Social Worker (Program Coordinator) of the Non-Institutional Care (NIC) Programs, also known as Personal Care Services (PCS), for the Orlando VA Healthcare System. He/she is responsible for the NIC/PCS annual budget of approximately $20 million. The incumbent is delegated the responsibility and authority for the planning and coordination of all elements which constitute the NIC programs. Responsibilities Duties and functions of the Social Worker (Program Coordinator) include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to state, local, and private agencies, and universities. Technical assistance provided to monitor activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information. In addition, the incumbent uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. The incumbent performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies (public, DOD, state, etc.). Responsible for coordinating, scheduling, and assuring that initial orientations are completed for approved Homemaker/Home Health Aide (H/HHA) and In-home Respite community providers. This includes community providers approved in CCN, local contract or Provider Agreement comply with VA Directives and standard operating procedures. Must have a good knowledge of Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Standards (CMS) concerning NIC programs. This includes providing current data to local, VISN and/or VACO Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) as requested. Responsible for overseeing the admission of Veterans into the H/HHA and In-home Respite Programs and to ensure they meet VA eligibility requirements. The incumbent is responsible for assuring that Quality Assurance monitors related to this program are completed and reported in accordance with Medical Center Policy. The incumbent is responsible for reporting and investigating Sentinel/Adverse Events to Central Office via the GEC Social Work Supervisor, Chief Social Work Service, to the VISN liaison for the H/HHA and In-home Respite Programs. Responsible for assuring the oversight of services and care coordination for Veterans admitted to the H/HHA and In-home Respite Programs in accordance with the Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) Field Guidebook within stated timeframes. He/She monitors documentation to ensure it is completed after each visit and reauthorized timely, in the Veteran's VA Medical Record using approved templates and software program; e.g. CPRS, VistA, HSRM, Cerner, etc.. Provides consultation/education to Veterans and families on community resources and VA entitlements. The incumbent acts as liaison between VA and the approved community provider. Works independently in providing appropriate documentation, review and follow-up of complaints within all NIC Programs. This includes follow-up on substantiated complaints against community providers, which may be investigated by the Third-Party Administrator (TPA). He/she is also responsible for organizing and preparing reports concerning the NIC Programs for the GEC Social Work Supervisor, Chief Social Work Service, Medical Center Director, VISN Liaison, and Central Office. Provides both informal and formal education to VA staff, as well as NIC Program staff and community providers, on any changes in VA policy concerning their specific programs. The incumbent attends and participates in VISN and VACO monthly and quarterly conference calls, disseminating information to VA staff and agency staff as indicated. Attends and or participates in a variety of monthly and quarterly conference calls, disseminating needed information to VA staff and community agency staff as warranted. Evaluates his/her practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or other organized means. Is active in and accepts responsibility for the development and maintenance of professional standards of treatment. As a Social Worker Program Coordinator, supervises Social Work graduate students and provides training experience for them in Social Work. Works with students to develop training plans and goals. Regularly assesses student's progress toward training goals and student's overall performance. Provides reports to the school of social work field liaison on the student's progress. Participates in the school of social work's field instructor training programs, and the affiliation process. May serve as an adjunct faculty member. Participates and assists with coordination of coverage for social work services on the assigned unit/service, and when needed for other programs or teams both inpatient and outpatient as needed. As a Social Worker Program Coordinator, the incumbent provides clinical supervision to unlicensed and/or Social Work interns with the Orlando VAHCS to staff to obtain license. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm or, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Telework: On Ad-hoc basis only, depending on service needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 80043F 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written. English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ยง 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 to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/ Grandfathering Provision. 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 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. Preferred Experience Experience with Geriatrics & Extended Care programs and services provided in the community to assist Veterans with aging in place, such as: Homemaker/Home Health Aide, Home Respite, Community Adult Day Health Care and Veteran Directed Care programs. Experience in performing assessments, treatment planning, care coordination, crisis intervention, and advocacy. Competency of care needs related to geriatric and Veteran populations. Experience in locating and obtaining VA and community resources specific to this group and assisting with linkage to appropriate referrals. Able to work independently providing psychosocial support to client populations with highly complex health and/or mental health problems. 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: Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Reference. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements. Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. Position requires walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Work is performed in a wide range of settings, including office/clinic setting with minimal risks that require normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The position requires the ability to handle multiple tasks in sometimes stressful situations while engaging in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. 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 Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. 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.