Social Worker Program Manager – Section Chief of Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Programs

Summary As the Section Chief of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Programs (SCPSR&R) for the Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS), the incumbent is responsible for overseeing and supervising multiple distinct programs across the ECHCS Mental Health Service. This announcement is a multidiscipline announcement and can be filled by either a Psychologist or Social Worker. Responsibilities Senior Program Management Responsibilities Assists the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services in the overall operation of Mental Health Service Maintains supervisory responsibility of the supervisors of the following programs: VHA VRS, LRC, ICMHR, PRRC, Peer Support (Current interdisciplinary staff including Psychologists, Physicians, Social Workers, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists and Peer Support Specialists, in addition to multiple inter-professional trainees.) Ensures that VHA Directives and Handbooks related to PSR&R and including VHA Directive EPIC (Early Psychosis Intervention Coordination) are implemented. Collaborates with the Evidence Based Practice program coordinator within the organization to assure integration of Recovery-focused treatment elements with a focus on delivery of empirically based interventions. Works cooperatively with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services, other services across ECHCS including CBOC management, and the Chief of Staff and Executive Leadership. Oversees quality control issues and performance measures with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services and Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services Operations. Oversees and coordinates activities related to accreditation within section, including CARF and Joint Commission. Oversees compliance with and successful execution of Mental Health Performance Measures, SAIL, workload, VERA capture, Veteran satisfaction, and quality assurance. Meets regularly with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services regarding all issues related to Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Section Programs. Supervisory Responsibilities First line supervisor for the program coordinators/supervisors of the following programs located in Northern and Southern Colorado: VHA VRS, LRC/Peer Support, ICMHR and PRRC (RMR VAMC only). Oversees the function of these programs monitoring their quality and service delivery. Works cohesively with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services to assure that all aspects of the Mental Health Service are functioning optimally. A member of the senior leadership team in Mental Health and is involved in Clinical Leadership Meetings. Responsible to complete all quality measures and reports as requested by VAECHCS, VISN 19 and VA Central Office. Works closely with all senior Mental Health supervisors and clinicians on issues related to performance, workload, and Veteran satisfaction. Meets frequently with Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services and to discuss/resolve clinical and administrative issues. Covers for the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services in his/her absence. Clinical Responsibilities Independently provides biopsychosocial assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology receiving care within the clinical setting. Has working knowledge and experience in use of mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures; this includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families. Provides education to both patients and family members regarding relevant mental health concerns. Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation. Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint. Provides consultation to health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plan for patients to ensure that care is coordinated, collaborative, and integrated within the Medical Center. Develops, implements, and documents the mental health treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients. Complies with all Mental Health Service documentation requirements, including timely completion of prescribed templates for documenting results of assessment, treatment, and risk evaluation contacts. Adheres to all Facility and Mental Health Service policies and practices for delivering clinical care, including but not limited to suicide risk reduction practices, timeliness of care and access standards, professional conduct requirements, and CPRS documentation conventions. At the independent practice level, Social Workers are fully licensed and function independently as a member of the VAECHCS Medical Staff with full clinical privileges. Social Workers at this grade additionally assume complete professional responsibility for their clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 07:30AM to 04:00PM Telework: Authorized – determined by agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). b. Education. Have a masters 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 masters 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. c. 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 masters degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. GS-14 Grade Determinations: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites, which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action. Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Skill in developing policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program and in participating in national program development. Ability to collaborate with internal VHA partners, locally and on a national level, as well as external community partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS- 13 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Individual may have certification or other post-masters 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. Assignment. 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. At the GS-14 grade level, social worker program managers are assigned to manage, direct, and oversee a major specialty program(s) at the facility, VISN or VA Central Office level. As the facility level program manager, typical assignments include serving as a care/product line manager. Program managers may have responsibility for staffing, work assignments, budget, services provided, program criteria, day-to-day program operations, and all reporting requirements. Additionally, program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments, determined by the needs of the local facility. The program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. They develop and monitor staff compliance with practice, standards and guidelines. As the VISN level program manager, typical assignments include overseeing a VISN level program. The program manager serves as consultant to facilities in matters of program operations. They develop and monitor facility compliance with practice, standards, and guidelines across the VISN. The program manager reviews program status with facility leadership. Additionally, program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments, determined by the needs of the VISN. The VISN program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. As the national level program manager, typical assignments include supporting implementation of a national program. The national program manager reports to senior executive service equivalent or GS-15 grade level national program director. They may have responsibility for staffing, work assignments, budget, services provided, day-to-day program operations, and all reporting requirements. Program manager responsibilities also include developing and serving as a subject matter expert for program specific policy and regulations and interface with congressional representatives. Program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments determined by the needs of VHA Central Office. The national program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. They develop and monitor staff compliance with program standards, guidelines, and service delivery. They develop and implement national training programs for internal and external partners. Program managers are responsible for ensuring program development, management, and evaluation that includes assessing the mission, goals, and programs of the organization in terms of psychosocial needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers and establishing objectives consistent with organizational goals. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 PART II APPENDIX G18. Preferred Experience: Worked with Veterans with serious mental illness within the psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery model. Preferred supervisory experience that includes clinical and business operations. Additional experience in community based care and interdisciplinary teams. Physical Requirements. Physical demands of the work are generally minor, as the position requires sitting, standing, and walking. Some travel is required as the incumbent is required to conducted monthly active outreach in the community which may require traveling long distances. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with high-risk for suicide veteran population and their families. A high level of self-awareness is essential. Work, divided between office and clinical settings, is primarily sedentary. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Requires carrying light items, such as books, files, or laptop computer. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Education and Training Is identified as the Co-Director of the VA Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) and Recovery Oriented Services as approved by VAs Office of Academic Affiliation (OAA). Provides clinical supervision and/or training for medical residents, medical students, social work interns, nurses, or other trainees. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.