Job Details

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, including award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years), is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens are unavailable, in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school. Graduates from schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work does not substitute for a master's degree.
• Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's level in the GS-0185 series.
• English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English is required as per 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Physical Requirements: Refer to VA Directive and Handbook 5019 for details.
• Grandfathering Provision: Current VHA employees in this occupation series with permanent appointments may qualify under the VA Title 38 Hybrid Qualification Standard if they meet the criteria.
• Grade Determinations: GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator) requires one year of experience at GS-11, demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and professional competency. Certification or post-master's degree training from a recognized organization or university, including an internship or supervised experience, is preferred. Individuals must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and capable of supervising licensure.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Demonstrate knowledge in program coordination and administration, policy writing, supervision, work organization, training, and guidance within clinical practice.

Duties

• Provide psychosocial assessment and intervention for inpatient and outpatient services across various acute care areas, including medicine, surgery, ARC, Renal, Hem/Onc, SCI, DPC, and ED.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver timely, comprehensive, and coordinated services.
• Conduct assessments of coping, coordinate linkages to VA or community services, provide short-term case management, and consult on psychosocial aspects of patient care plans.
• Facilitate complex discharges, coordinate program management, develop policies, oversee budgets, and analyze program data to improve service quality.
• Provide leadership, staff development, training, and conduct program audits and evaluations to identify and implement improvements.