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This position is assigned as the VIST (Visually Impaired Services Team) Program Coordinator. Works as the social worker for the Inpatient Medical Unit and is a member of that treatment team with responsibly for discharge planning. The incumbent provides support to Hospice and Palliative Care Team. Provides social work psychosocial services by Veterans and their families assigned for PACT. Applicants 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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: Interviews veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veteran's functioning and health as part of a psychosocial assessment. Is familiar with VA treatment and benefit programs. Uses subjective and objective data in making clinical assessment of the veteran's needs. Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight. Uses advanced clinical training, and experience to identify viable. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120, PART II, APPENDIX G39 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Interviews veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veteran's functioning and health as part of a psychosocial assessment. Is familiar with VA treatment and benefit programs. Uses subjective and objective data in making clinical assessment of the veteran's needs. Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight. Uses advanced clinical training, and experience to identify viable treatment options and makes appropriate referrals for care. Has the ability to serve veterans as inpatients or outpatients who often have severe crises, lack family or community supports, frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatment, or have significant deficits in coping skills and require continuing professional psychological support. Independently evaluates the client's situation, including the veteran's reaction and ability to deal with it, and arrives at a reasoned conclusion. Based on the psychosocial assessment, uses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make a psychosocial diagnosis. Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary disposition plan involving the veteran and family or significant others. Assesses serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia and other high-risk diagnoses. Makes independent professional decisions and recommendations for treatment. Consequences to the veteran may be serious, and the results are often unpredictable. On an inpatient/outpatient basis, finds a suitable means of treatment to help veterans and/or significant others cope with stressful situations. Treatment is aimed at helping veterans find practical solutions to problems. Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, including goals for treatment. Using known available resources and the initial assessment of the veteran's likelihood to accept differing types of assistance, makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA services and referrals. Arrives at a reasoned conclusion as to the preferred course of agency action. Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. Independently concludes the appropriate action, even in instances where actions can have serious impact on the life of the veteran. This might include long-term institutional or nursing home care or separation from family members. These decisions are based on the Primary Care Social Worker's advanced practice skills, professional judgment and expertise regarding the veteran's self-care capability. The family support system, the veteran's health care needs and possible consequences. Is responsible for clinical Social Work practice in the areas and programs to which assigned, including promotion of Social Work services as a key component of treatment. Evaluates his/her practice as a Senior Social Worker on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, or other organized means. Is active in and accepts responsibility for the development and maintenance of professional standards of treatment. Provides clinical services to veterans and family members/significant others in support of the veteran's treatment. Gives advice, guidance, emotional support, and other assistance. Provides individual and group counseling services, including psychotherapy in some settings. Assists and encourages veterans an significant others in facing problems, thinking them through, evaluating the situation realistically, considering alternative courses of action, and arriving at plans for using resources to resolve problems. PACT services include time working with blinded or low vision Veterans VHA Handbook 1174.02 Visual Impairment Team program requires a VIST Coordinator at each Medical Center, it guides the incumbent in coordinating the VIST program locally. Duties include providing and/or arranging for the provision of appropriate rehabilitation services and devices in order to enhance a blinded veteran's functioning level. Arranging VIST reviews and conducting educational programs relating to VIST and blindness. Organizes community services such as Visually Impaired Services, as well as arranging skilled & non-skilled home health and home hospice care on behalf of beneficiaries, developing and coordinating procedures for use of these services. . Completes the VIST Annual Report Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am- 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56968-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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