Health and Wellness Coach
What you'd do
Health and Wellness Coaches provide services to Veterans seeking self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values. They provide support that promotes health and enhances well-being, which may support improved health related outcomes, and quality of life. Health and Wellness Coaches work with individuals on identifying their motivation for change, determining goals for their work together, developing sustainable action steps toward achieving their short- and long-term goals.
Major duties
Major duties include but are not limited to: Provides health coaching to individuals or groups in outpatient and inpatient settings using multiple formats (face-to-face, telephone, virtual, etc.) in order to increase/promote a positive lifestyle (habits and behaviors). Support Veterans in fostering internal strengths and external resources to develop self-directed strategies for making personalized, sustainable, healthy lifestyle behavior changes and more effectively manage chronic disease. Collaborates with interdisciplinary clinical and non-clinical staff and teams throughout the VA health care system on a Veteran-centered process to facilitate and empower Veterans to develop and achieve self-determining goals related to health and well-being and that align with what matters most or their mission, aspiration, or purpose. Utilizes motivational interviewing, coaching theories, and coaching techniques to assist clients in accomplishing their action steps and goals. Within the coaching process, addresses appropriate social and structural determinants of health. Provides education around health and wellness coaching services, evidence, and research. Follow national Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation guidance and VHA policy relevant to health and wellness coaching. Utilizes a coaching process model that aligns with NBHWC standards. Ensures Veterans are aware of what to expect when engaging in coaching. Connects Veterans with wellbeing services when they are in service of the Veteran's self-identified wellness goals. Documents coaching encounters in alignment with local and national guidance. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am to 4:00pm ( CST) Telework: Not Available Remote: This is a remote position. Functional Statement #: 99325-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not applicable
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. English Language Proficiency. Health and Wellness Coach candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Education and/or Experience: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR, Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR, Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. Certification: Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). List of certifications. Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Exception for Non-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification, may be given a temporary appointment as Health and Wellness Coach under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted until certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-certified Health and Wellness Coaches may not be extended beyond one year. 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: Health and Wellness Coach, GS-07. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of health and wellness coaching processes and techniques. Ability to promote positive lifestyle choices. Ability to effectively communicate in writing through a variety of modalities. Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally. GS-09 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-07. Experience includes but is not limited to: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of current research literature related to health and wellness, including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being. Skill in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one, couple or group modalities. Skill in exercising effective interpersonal communication techniques to develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships. Ability to assist the client in developing a comprehensive personalized health plan based on a patient's action-oriented goals. Ability to identify resources internal and external to the organization that are necessary for achieving patient overall health and well-being goals. Ability to use information technology (IT) equipment and various/emerging technologies to carry out work responsibilities. Ability to document patient information using appropriate systems. Preferred Experience: Formal training in pain-related coaching approaches. 1-2 years of experience working formally with an interdisciplinary pain team. 6 months to 1 year actively practicing motivational interviewing and coaching with Veterans. 1-2 years Coaching a VHA MOVE! group (Patient and/or Staff) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
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