Career Center

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System is recruiting for one (1) full-time Social Worker (Program Coordinator) to serve as the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program Liaison. The incumbent will monitor and coordinate services provided by community-based programs funded under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. The GPD Program provides safe supportive housing and supportive services for homeless Veterans through grants with community-based programs. 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. 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/. 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. Documentation is required if part of your state's requirements for providing supervision for licensure is beyond your licensure only (example: certification of continuing education credits). (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. *REMINDER: You must attach a separate document demonstrating the KSAs for this position in your application. See required documents. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 Physical Requirements: This is a position which requires work to be performed routinely out in the field, in Veterans' homes, and at agencies in the community. The incumbent is required to possess a valid driver's license with a chauffeur's endorsement as the position requires use of a government vehicle daily to perform the job duties in the community. The incumbent must pass a pre-employment physical examination. ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties include, but are not limited to: Monitors the clinical care and assesses the compliance of the GPD grantee as described in the grant application. Intervenes to facilitate compliance or corrective actions. Provides services and oversight of the GPD Program according to rules, regulations, and directives. Performs and coordinates inspections of GPD grantees in compliance with the GPD Directive. Complies with conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of Conduct so as to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as the GPD Liaison. Acts as the primary resource for GPD Program information for both the GPD grantee and VAMC. Mentors the GPD grantee and provides training as needed regarding appropriate supportive service practices to assist homeless Veterans. Provides GPD grantees with necessary technical assistance, when and where appropriate. Authorizes per diem payments in compliance with the GPD Directive. Reviews and approves extension requests based on the clinical evidence and in accordance with the Veteran's treatment plan. Provides clinical oversight and care coordination for all Veterans admitted to GPD Programs ensuring that any gaps in services or in the clinical abilities of the GPD grantee's staff are provided or appropriately referred to another service provider by the GPD Liaison, when necessary. Maintains administrative documentation to adequately provide grant oversight for each GPD grant which the GPD Liaison is assigned using an administrative file. Provides oversight of other GPD grants when indicated such as the Grant and Per Diem Case Management Grant. Actively participates in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with caseloads and identifying the need for and making recommendations on program procedure or policy changes based upon work experience. Provides input into process improvement to implement ways to reduce barriers, promote team building, and improve practices. Attends applicable National and VISN Homeless Programs calls, program meetings, staff meetings, and social work meetings. Provides subject matter consultation to other staff and students on the psychosocial treatment of Veterans experiencing homelessness, rending professional opinions based on experience and expertise, and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Mentors staff and students in the homeless specialty area of practice. Able to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements and provide supervision for licensure. Makes a psychosocial assessment by evaluating the Veteran's situation, abilities, and capabilities, and arrive at a reasonable conclusion. Assesses at-risk factors and develop a preliminary plan, involving the Veteran as well as the Veteran's family, if applicable. Interviews Veteran and Veteran's family members/significant others, if applicable, to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems, and the impact of such problems on the Veteran's functioning. Reviews subjective and objective data to make a clinical assessment, identifying needs and strengths. Uses professional judgement and social work practice skills to make a psychosocial diagnosis based on the psychosocial assessment. Provides a full range of social work services using commonly accepted standards of practice which include individual, family, and group counseling and therapy, discharge planning, and case management. PLEASE SEE THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS BELOW Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.\nTelework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Description/PD#: Social Worker (Program Coordinator) /PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]