Career Center

The Medical Foster Home (MFH) Program Coordinator is a senior social worker who is capable of practicing at the advanced level and has specialized knowledge of practice typically related to dementias, chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injuries and care for the older adult and caregiver. This position is for a Social Work Program Coordinator, Social Work Service, GS-0185-12, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA. Basic Requirements Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. 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 advanced practice level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. 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. 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). GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator) Experience: 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: 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. 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. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Program coordinators at the GS-12 grade level are administratively responsible for a clinical program providing treatment to Veterans in a major specialty area, such as but not limited to: Spinal Cord Injury, Homeless Continuum Veteran Program, Hospice and Palliative Care Program, Suicide Prevention Program, Veterans Justice Outreach, Caregiver Support Program and Community Nursing Home Program. The program coordinator may be the sole practitioner in this specialty at the facility and typically provide direct patient care services in the program area. The program coordinator oversees the daily operation of the program, develop policies and procedures for program operation, and prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. They may be responsible for the program's budget, developing and monitoring staff compliance with practice, standards and guidelines on documentation, workload, data entry, ethical practice and service delivery. The program coordinator provides analysis and evaluation of clinical program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. They may be responsible for, or contribute to, the program's resource and fiscal management, monitoring control points developing the annual budget, operating within that budget, and accounting for appropriated funds. The program coordinator is administratively responsible for the clinical programming and prepares reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. They provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned staff. They initiate and conduct a variety of program or service audits and complete designated clinical practice audits and reports, including productivity assessments. They oversee program operations and evaluations, identifying areas for improvement, gathering relevant data, assessing the data, developing and implementing ideas for improvement and evaluating efficacy of improvement efforts. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. 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). Preferred Experience: Experience working in a Geriatric setting and collaborating with internal/external partners is highly preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Please reference VA Handbook 5019. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The incumbent is responsible for maximizing psychosocial quality of life issues in order to assist Veterans to remain in their home or in a less restrictive level of care other than a nursing home and avoid hospitalization as often as possible. The incumbent serves Veterans who tend to have serious, frequent, and severe crises, lack family or an adequate community support networks, have poor self-monitoring and advocacy skills; inability to understand and follow instructions and treatments; have significant deficits in coping skills and require continuing psychosocial and medical support. Incumbent serves as program coordinator and is administratively responsible for the Medical Foster Home Program. Coordinator manages the daily operation of the program and provides direct Veteran-centric services in the program area. Responsibilities include the daily operation of the program, developing policies and procedures for program operation and preparing reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. Occasional travel may be required to various VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System sites and community for outreach and monitoring of facilities. Duties included but are not limited to: The overall function of the Medical Foster Home Program at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The incumbent oversees program development, recruitment, and development of the foster homes, recruitment and admission of Veteran residents, case management, development of policies and care processes, and coordination with Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) interdisciplinary treatment teams. Marketing the model of care and reaches out to community groups and agencies to promote the foster care program. Works closely with VHA Public Affairs Office to market the program internally and externally. Incumbent serves as a mentor to other VA MFH program coordinators, social workers, and other interested health care providers Utilizes national Directive, application forms, and inspection tools to screen and assess Caregiver applicants wishing to become a MFH Caregiver which includes approving and disapproving MFH Caregivers in coordination with the approving official. The program coordinator receives and completes consults from interdisciplinary teams and other social workers on complex, difficult cases, using advanced practice skills and expertise. Incumbent also provides consultation to referral sources and is responsible for development and maintenance of professional standards of practice and educating others regarding such. Documents independently in the medical records utilizing paper and/or electronic formats, including psychosocial assessments, diagnostics, treatment, progress notes, follow up and referrals. The program coordinator interviews and conducts psychosocial assessments; interviews Veteran and family members and/or significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's unique situation; presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the Veteran's functioning and health as a part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment; assesses high risk factors, acuity and need for services. The social worker interprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programs. Provides oversight during monthly unannounced visits to the MFH and addressing concerns of Veterans and caregivers that support the MFH model of care. Establishes intake processes and oversight responsibilities and maintains a record-keeping system for the program. Reports data on monthly reports to the national program office, local and VISN leadership. The program coordinator is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans to maintain the veteran in a medical foster home. In the event of an alleged abuse case, medical or psychiatric emergency, the protocol of the MFH National Directive and medical center policy will be followed. Incumbent ensures the interdisciplinary team is kept informed of any concerns with the patient and/or caregiver. The program coordinator will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. The program coordinator will act as an advocate for the VA and need for services in specific geographical areas. At all times the incumbent will represent the VA in the community in a positive and professional manner. The program coordinator establishes a continuing relationship with the medical foster home caregiver and Veteran, and involved family members, evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate. Meets with medical foster home caregiver, Veteran, and/or family members to assess accomplishments. Work Schedule: 8:00A-4:30P\nTelework: TBD\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]