Social Worker (Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Coordinator)

About the role

The Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program Coordinator, located at the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHCS) is a licensed independent Social Work practitioner, and is responsible for re-integrating homeless veterans with psychiatric and substance abuse disorders into the community and to help them achieve the maximum level of health and social functioning possible.

What you will do

• The position of Coordinator, Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program is fully responsible for carrying out the responsibilities of HVO separate yet interrelated roles, namely, Coordinator and Outreach Clinician.
• The program's scope of responsibility ranges throughout the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHCS) catchment area.
• As Coordinator, the incumbent will be fully responsible for the management and coordination of the HCHV program.
• This includes developing all aspects that are needed to provide optimum care.
• Program Management: The HCHV Coordinator is responsible for functional leadership and coordination of other HCHV program staff, as designated by the Chief, Social Work Service.
• Transitional Living Program: The HCHV Coordinator will have responsibility for the development, coordination, selection and evaluation of community residences in the catchment area; will facilitate the interpretation and application of VA guidelines to ensure standards maintained to promote the health, safety, welfare and happiness of the homeless veteran.
• Standards: The HCHV Coordinator assures the compliance of the HCHV program with all existing VA policy regulations, CARF standards, medical center policies and procedures, and other relevant requirements.
• The Coordinator ensures continuity of patient care in the development and implementation of the plan of care.
• Facilities evaluation and treatment of veterans in HCHV contract facilities and participates in case conferences with those veterans; plans will reflect continuity of care including expected short and long-range outcomes.
• Collaborates with community agencies and other VA programs to develop and implement services for homeless veterans.
• Staffing: The HCHV Coordinator may make recommendations as it relates to program staffing as a member of the interview panel which will help with forming a functioning interdisciplinary team; the Coordinator can assist with training and consultation on a regular basis.
• Representation: The HCHV Coordinator will represent the HCTIV Program both within the VA Medical Center (VAMC) and the community at large.
• Staff Development: Provides orientation and on-going training to Social Workers and interdisciplinary team members.
• Conducts staff development programs for Social Workers and takes responsibility for providing opportunities to help staff update their Social work practice skills and acquire new knowledge in contemporary treatment modalities.
• Serves as a mentor to other social workers, particularly those at the entry level.
• Is viewed by Social Workers and interdisciplinary team members as a senior clinician with advanced practice skills and expertise.
• Student Training: As a field instructor or preceptor, supervises Social Work graduate students and provides a training experience for them in Social Work.
• Works with students to develop training plans and goals.
• Regularly assesses student's progress toward training goals and student's overall performance.
• Provides reports to the school of social work filed liaison on the student's progress.
• Participates in the school of social work's field instructor training programs, and the affiliation process.
• May serve as an adjunct faculty member.
• Provides training to students, residents, interns, and fellows from other disciplines.
• Instructs them on psychosocial treatment and on the services available from Soda] Workers.
• Helps them understand family dynamics and the impact of psychosocial issues and problems on the veteran's health and response to treatment.
• Conducts formal workshops and classes for staff.
• Evaluation: The Coordinator plans, coordinates and evaluates aspects of the Homeless Program to ensure the provision of care and continuity of service for outreach and coordination of care.
• Collaboration: Collaborates with community agencies and other programs to develop and implement services for homeless veterans.
• Transitional Housing: Oversees and supervises applications and implementation of ensuing programs pertaining to the HCHV program to ensure compliance with VA policy, procedures and standards of care.
• Monitors the payment of all bills to ensure prompt reimbursement of charges, which were accrued as a result of HCHV contacts and agreements.
• Statistics: Manages the accuracy of the statistical flow of information from the HCHV Program between services both within and without the local VA and other local, state and federal agencies.
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
• May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 62619F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

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.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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.

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 applicant's 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.