About this role
Job SummaryThis position is located within the Social Work Service Line at the Beckley VA Medical Center. This role serves as an advanced practice Senior Social Worker responsible for clinical coordination, program management, and specialized psychosocial care across the Hospice/Palliative Care (HPC) Program and the Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Program.
QualificationsApplicants 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: 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/. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with geriatric population preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Position requires light lifting, prolonged sitting or standing, and the ability to engage in therapeutic communication with Veterans, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams.
Major DutiesTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Hospice and Palliative Care The incumbent serves as an advanced clinician on the Palliative Care Consult Team and manages hospice referrals and palliative coordination. Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments for Veterans with serious and life-limiting illnesses Coordinating hospice referrals, inpatient/outpatient palliative services, and care transitions Provide counseling, emotional support, and illness education to Veterans and families Providing leadership in interdisciplinary communication and advocacy for Veteran preferences Implementing bereavement support and end-of-life planning services Monitoring HPC outcomes and quality metrics (e.g. Bereaved Family Survey) Ensuring compliance with VHA Directive 1139, Palliative Care Consult Teams Adult Day Health Care Provides geriatric-focused psychosocial services and program coordination for ADHC participants Conduct biopsychosocial assessments addressing functional statuses, caregiver burden, cognitive safety, and long-term care needs Coordinating respite, long-term care services, transportation, and needed support resources Counseling Veterans and caregivers regarding chronic illness adaptation and safety planning Actively participating in interdisciplinary care planning and quality improvement activities Monitoring workload, documentation, and compliance with ADHC clinical expectations Supporting placement coordination when Veterans require a higher level of care Ensuring compliance with VHA Directive 1141.03(2), VA Operated Adult Day Health Care Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 #: 517-260547-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou 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 identification 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.