Social Worker (Program Coordinator)
What you'd do
The Polytrauma/TBI Program Coordinator leads the Polytrauma Support Clinic Team (PSCT) at Northampton VA Medical Center, as well as performs Polytrauma/TBI Case Management services of all referrals for Polytrauma rehabilitation services for those active duty service members and eligible veterans, including OEF/OIF combatants and their families.
Major duties
Operating within national Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) System of Care and Medical Center policies and directives, the Polytrauma/TBI Program Coordinator has full professional responsibility for planning, developing, implementing, directing and evaluating the Polytrauma Support Clinic Team (PSCT) program, and coordinating services related to traumatic brain injured patients and their families. With the multiple morbidities, these cases tend to be difficult and complex both in terms of severity of the TBI and the presence of complicating physical and emotional factors, which impinge on the treatment process. The incumbent must possess competent social work treatment, case management, program coordination and management skills backed by a broad knowledge base and experience to deal effectively with the variety of complex situations that may be referred for social service activity. The incumbent is knowledgeable of psychosocial and cultural factors and their impact in the treatment process, as well as the impact of Polytrauma/TBI on the patient and family. The incumbent is skilled in casework, group work, education, case management, crisis intervention techniques, family counseling, marital counseling, death and dying counseling and chemical dependency assessment and counseling. The incumbent must be knowledgeable regarding the legal procedures relevant to commitments, guardianships and appropriate procedures to deal with incompetent veterans. Evaluates the assigned veterans' physical, mental, emotional, social, and vocational capabilities to assess the veterans' needs for treatment and services. Duties include but are not limited to: Serves not only as a resource person in matters related to Polytrauma/TBI but also provides and/or arranges for the provision of appropriate treatment modalities for the purpose of enhancing the veteran's functioning, resolving problems and meeting specific objectives established by the PSCT. Conducts special studies and analyzes the necessary human resources, equipment, and space to effectively support the mission of the PSCT. Coordinates and manages services that include TBI/Polytrauma screenings, intake, assessment and evaluation and long-term case management of patient referrals for services Evaluates results of PSCT efforts through performance improvement monitors including national performance wait times, TBI screening, patient satisfaction surveys, referral site surveys, etc. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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: Ad-Hoc may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. § 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 to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the 4 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/. 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 (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. (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. Preferred Experience: Experience working with polytrauma cases involving complex or severe injuries preferred. 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: Duties are generally sedentary in nature but will require occasional travel. Physical activity involves walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks.
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