Social Worker (Harm Reduction Program Coordinator)
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Application
Details
Posted: 02-May-23
Location: Reno, Nevada, Nevada
Salary: Open
Categories:
Mental Health/Social Services
Internal Number: 717428400
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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/. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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, 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 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.] References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39, Dated September 10, 2019. Preferred Experience: Program development, working collaboratively with multiple agencies, and data collection/interpretation. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, sitting, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc. Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Hearing (aid permitted). ["Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The Social Worker works collaboratively across VA services to develop and implement Harm Reduction Services. The incumbent will have skills and expertise in the current treatment of substance use disorders, specifically related to harm reduction services. The Social Worker will develop and implement harm reduction services which includes collaborating with various VA departments and community agencies. Additionally, Social Worker completes Mental Health assessments and provides evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual and group psychotherapy The Social Worker may provide case management, crisis intervention, advocacy services, and the coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies as needed by the Veteran. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Ensuring that harm reduction services include offers of linkage to treatment. Collaborating with multiple VA departments and community agencies to develop a facility syringe services program (SSP) and system(s) to increase Veteran access. Collaborating with multiple VA departments and community agencies to develop a facility fentanyl test strip distribution system. Consulting with Offices of Chief Counsel to determine if any SSP services/supplies are legally prohibited. Identifying community SSP referral options for Veterans who decline or are unable to receive VA SSP services. Identifying sources to obtain harm reduction supplies. Serving as a local point of contact to educate Veterans and staff about the SSP. Collaborating with the national VA HIV/SSP Affinity Group to develop new SSP resources, including veteran and staff education resources, standardized harm reduction kits, and a standardized note template. Collaborating with local and national community harm reduction organizations for program improvement. Evaluating SSP outcomes, implementation strategies, and lessons learned for further program improvement. Sharing results with the HIV/SSP Affinity Group for nationwide dissemination. Using dashboards to identify harm reduction opportunities. Outreach to Veterans about HIV PrEP. Supporting Medication Assisted Treatment clinics by providing education to Veterans about available services, developing outreach materials, developing and evaluating outcome measures. Working with local colleagues to improve assessment of SUD and high risk behaviors and provide linkage to appropriate harm reduction services. Provides direct SUD clinical services, case management, and outreach services. Provides all necessary assessment functions, e.g. interviewing, psychosocial histories, and SUD assessments to aid in the development of treatment plans. Works with the Veteran to realize the Veteran's treatment goals and reassesses and revises goals as indicated by the Veteran's engagement in treatment. Organizes and conducts individual and group case management and SUD treatment, to include early interventions and supportive follow-up to ensure stability in home visits and facility-based contacts. Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary ADTP treatment team. Develop partnerships with community agencies. Participate in policy making, goal setting, and treatment service planning discussions related to harm reduction services. Provide appropriate clinical documentation for all contacts with or about Veterans. Responsible for the collection of statistical data and for reviewing the data to improve performance and delivery of harm reduction services. Provides recovery -oriented treatment with the goal of establishing the Veteran independently in the community at the Veteran's highest level of functioning and quality of life. Conduct and participate in outreach activities. Determine priority for services and provide specialized treatment services. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in providing individual and group treatment interventions to patients presenting with a wide variety of mental health and psychosocial issues such as those diagnoses found in the most current Diagnostic Standards Manual, and particularly SMI (including PTSD), Dual Diagnosis, personality disorders, substance abuse, and issues arising from homelessness. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and harm reduction services. Expertly skilled in the recording of detailed behavioral observations and the writing of progress notes and reassessment reports. Other duties as assigned by management."]
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?Readying Warriors and Caring for Heroes! This position is located within Surgical Services at the CAPT James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL. The FHCC is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and Department of Navy (DoN)/Department of Defense (DoD). It is larger than just a single facility, but rather it is a fully-integrated medical care facility with a single combined VA and Navy mission. The combined mission of the FHCC means active duty military and their family members, military retirees, and eligible veterans receive health care at this facility.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Join the FHCC team of energetic, career-minded professionals! For additional information, click onhttp://www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov/index.asp.