Social Worker (Program Coordinator)
What you'd do
The New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System (NMVAHCS) is currently seeking a social worker to join the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service . The position involves overseeing the clinical and administrative aspects of the Bereavement Care Program. The primary responsibility of the incumbent is to provide leadership, guidance, and strategic direction to ensure effective program operations.
Major duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent provides leadership and direction for the Bereavement Care Program's clinical and administrative functions. They oversee daily operations, develop policies and procedures, and prepare reports and statistics for various levels. Responsibilities include managing budgets, controlling program data, and evaluating service effectiveness through outcome measures. They champion quality improvement initiatives and promote awareness of Hospice/Palliative and Bereavement services across NMVAHCS. The incumbent offers specialized consultation, education, and role modeling in psychosocial care, expanding their clinical expertise and developing policies, training materials, and educational tools on topics like Advance Care Planning and Goals of Care. They conduct psychosocial assessments, diagnosis, treatment planning, case management, crisis intervention, and evidence-based psychotherapy for Veterans, families, and caregivers, within scope of practice. They utilize outcome evaluations to enhance services and guide system improvements. They develop and coordinate the Bereavement Care program, ensuring compliance with accreditation and regulations. They manage bereavement follow-ups, correspondence, and quarterly reporting of BFS scores. They engage in direct clinical contacts via in-person visits, telehealth, and other communication methods to deliver targeted interventions aligned with program goals. Additional duties may include advising leadership, serving as a liaison to facility committees, providing implementation reports, and participating in VHA policy coordination. The incumbent must be able to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines, with skills in supervision, management, and administration to oversee clinical and administrative staff, including those seeking licensure. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. 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: Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work. Licensure: Candidate 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. 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: 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. In addition to the experience above, candidates 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. Preferred Experience: Hospice and Palliative Care, Geriatric Social Work References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.