Social Worker (Palliative Care Coordinator)
The Program Coordinator provides the social services for the Palliative Care Clinic. She/he independently provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an advanced practice level to eligible veterans and their family members to meet biological, psychological, social and environmental needs at the end of life. Veterans treated come from a wide geographic area. Their healthcare and psychosocial problems and needs are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight, creative problem solving, and sensitivity. The incumbent must possess a high degree of sensitivity, advanced assessment skills, critical decision making ability, and knowledge of community resources in order to help veterans and families adjust to long-term or terminal illness and the decisions associated with such illness. Incumbent is viewed as an expert in area of palliative care, including grief, the aging process, end of life care planning, dementia, and caregiver burden, and provides consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment of patients in palliative care. Experience, Education, and Licensure:
The incumbent assigned to the GS-12 level is considered to be at the advanced performance level. A GS-12 social worker has a Masters Degree in Social Work granted by a graduate program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Incumbent also has specialized knowledge related to the complex needs of the Geriatrics population. The incumbent should have at least 2 years of specialized experience in Geriatrics and be licensed by a state at the advanced practice level. Certification as a palliative care social worker is preferred. II. FUNCTIONS OF POSITION PROGRAM COORDINATION Incumbent receives consults, develops and maintains screening methods for evaluation and then delegates needed follow-up for scheduling in the Palliative Care Clinic. Incumbent is responsible for ongoing development of the Palliative Care Clinic and planning for future growth, including direction for expansion and budgeting as appropriate. This will also 2 include development of local Palliative Care Clinic policies and procedures in compliance with VA standards. Incumbent is responsible for the development and continued effective functioning of the interdisciplinary team including MD, RN, MSW, and Chaplain services, including ensuring that the treatment recommendations are developed and implemented by the interdisciplinary team in a timely manner. This also involves working with the Service Chief on staff coverage in the event of absence of a Palliative Care team member, as well as assisting in selecting qualified personnel to fill Palliative Care vacancies. Incumbent will be responsible for orienting staff facility wide to the Palliative Care Clinic and arranging continuing education in Palliative care. Incumbent is also responsible for marketing of the Palliative Care Program. Incumbent is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the program with a particular focus on quality and effectiveness, and initiating modification to the program that will promote efficient practice and ensure compliance with VA Ambulatory Care Center and Central Office Directives. Incumbent develops new methods for monitoring and designs system changes based on findings. Incumbent interfaces with community providers regarding Palliative Care Services and the VA as a whole. Develops and maintains working relationships with community based agencies who serve veterans. PROVISION OF SOCIAL WORK SERVICES Incumbent provides direct practice for patients with high risk, complex problems who are terminally ill, Incumbent completes comprehensive social work assessment as an essential component of the Palliative Care Clinic, utilizing advanced knowledge to evaluate psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses. Incumbent formulates social work treatment goals with the patient and or family based on the assessment, utilizing specialized interventions for complex palliative care patients. Incumbent provides case management to Palliative Care patients, identifies and locates resources to meet the needs of patients, and makes appropriate referrals. Incumbent participates in team meetings and treatment planning with VA personnel and community providers to clarify staff responsibilities, provide assessments and recommendations, and assist in defining care objectives. Incumbent integrates social work into the multidisciplinary team. Work Schedule:
Monday thru Friday 8:
00am to 4:
30pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English 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/. 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). 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. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they 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:
(a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. (d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). (e) 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 GS12 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185 Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements:
The position requires a valid government driver's license, knowledge of highway laws/safety, and familiarity with the geographic areas of jurisdiction. The incumbent must be able to operate a motor vehicle and perform local travel as needed. The incumbent may be asked to perform physical tasks requiring standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
The incumbent assigned to the GS-12 level is considered to be at the advanced performance level. A GS-12 social worker has a Masters Degree in Social Work granted by a graduate program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Incumbent also has specialized knowledge related to the complex needs of the Geriatrics population. The incumbent should have at least 2 years of specialized experience in Geriatrics and be licensed by a state at the advanced practice level. Certification as a palliative care social worker is preferred. II. FUNCTIONS OF POSITION PROGRAM COORDINATION Incumbent receives consults, develops and maintains screening methods for evaluation and then delegates needed follow-up for scheduling in the Palliative Care Clinic. Incumbent is responsible for ongoing development of the Palliative Care Clinic and planning for future growth, including direction for expansion and budgeting as appropriate. This will also 2 include development of local Palliative Care Clinic policies and procedures in compliance with VA standards. Incumbent is responsible for the development and continued effective functioning of the interdisciplinary team including MD, RN, MSW, and Chaplain services, including ensuring that the treatment recommendations are developed and implemented by the interdisciplinary team in a timely manner. This also involves working with the Service Chief on staff coverage in the event of absence of a Palliative Care team member, as well as assisting in selecting qualified personnel to fill Palliative Care vacancies. Incumbent will be responsible for orienting staff facility wide to the Palliative Care Clinic and arranging continuing education in Palliative care. Incumbent is also responsible for marketing of the Palliative Care Program. Incumbent is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the program with a particular focus on quality and effectiveness, and initiating modification to the program that will promote efficient practice and ensure compliance with VA Ambulatory Care Center and Central Office Directives. Incumbent develops new methods for monitoring and designs system changes based on findings. Incumbent interfaces with community providers regarding Palliative Care Services and the VA as a whole. Develops and maintains working relationships with community based agencies who serve veterans. PROVISION OF SOCIAL WORK SERVICES Incumbent provides direct practice for patients with high risk, complex problems who are terminally ill, Incumbent completes comprehensive social work assessment as an essential component of the Palliative Care Clinic, utilizing advanced knowledge to evaluate psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses. Incumbent formulates social work treatment goals with the patient and or family based on the assessment, utilizing specialized interventions for complex palliative care patients. Incumbent provides case management to Palliative Care patients, identifies and locates resources to meet the needs of patients, and makes appropriate referrals. Incumbent participates in team meetings and treatment planning with VA personnel and community providers to clarify staff responsibilities, provide assessments and recommendations, and assist in defining care objectives. Incumbent integrates social work into the multidisciplinary team. Work Schedule:
Monday thru Friday 8:
00am to 4:
30pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English 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/. 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). 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. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they 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:
(a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. (d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). (e) 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 GS12 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185 Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements:
The position requires a valid government driver's license, knowledge of highway laws/safety, and familiarity with the geographic areas of jurisdiction. The incumbent must be able to operate a motor vehicle and perform local travel as needed. The incumbent may be asked to perform physical tasks requiring standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
- Department:
0185 Social Work - Salary Range:
$79,414 to $103,242 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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