Social Worker (Program Coordinator)- Inpatient Mental Health

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

What you will do

• Highly qualified candidates will have long term care experience.
• Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Administrative Responsibilities (80%) Program Coordinator The Program Coordinator (PC) oversees and ensures program compliance with VHA, JCAHO and other regulatory and accrediting standards, particularly ensuring that safety standards for IMH units are met and exceeded.
• The PC develops and monitors treatment program content to ensure that it is evidence-based and comprehensive enough to meet the biopsychological needs of all Veterans served by the program, regardless of age, gender, or warzone, then develops short- and long-range goals and plans for the programs and implements policies and procedures to ensure goal attainment.
• S/he will oversee the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within assigned program units using data-driven quality assurance processes.
• The PC will be responsible for managing the admission and discharge processes to ensure optimal patient flow and coordinated transitions between levels of care.
• The PC is responsible for resource and financial management, budget formulation and monitoring, assessing staffing levels and needs, space planning, and assessing equipment and technology needs to provide optimal service delivery to Veterans.
• Supervisory Responsibilities The PC provides direct or indirect (through subordinate supervision) administrative and professional supervision of subordinates.
• The IMH has a multidisciplinary staff of approximately 19 FTEE (made up of psychiatrists, psychologists, physician assistants, social workers, recreational therapists, and peer support specialist) that report directly to the PC as well as matrixed responsibility for nursing staff (RNs, LPNs, and NAs) and fractional FTEEs of chaplain, pharmacist, and dietician that work in IMH units.
• The incumbent should demonstrate skill in interpersonal relationships to facilitate cohesion and communication among the interdisciplinary team members, and mediate conflicts as they arise.
• The PC will be responsible for assessing qualification and abilities of current and prospective employees.
• The PC should demonstrate the ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations and demonstrate skill in working collaboratively with other disciplines and supervisors.
• The PC has line and staff authority for resource allocation within the area of responsibility.
• The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health and Chief of Staff.
• The incumbent is professionally competent and capable of planning and directing Inpatient Mental Health; therefore, supervision of the incumbent is normally limited to administrative matters with minimal technical supervision required.
• The incumbent's clinical practice and privileges are supervised by the Chief, Social Work Service.
• The incumbent is directed by local and national VA policy and may obtain consultation on professional matters from staff at the VA, VISN, and the Medical Center who will provide training, education, mentoring, and technical assistance.
• Clinical Responsibilities (20%) The PC should demonstrate knowledge of, and ability to appropriately utilize evidence-based practices and clinical-based guidelines, and the ability to guide staff in using these tools.
• The PC will provider a full range of mental health services, including the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care.
• He or she will perform consultations and evaluation in Veterans referred to IMH.
• The PC will provide a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual therapy, couples/family therapy, and group therapy.
• Preceptor Responsibilities The PC will oversee or be involved in the training of social work trainees, as well as trainees from other health professions, as appropriate.
• Other Responsibilities Organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines Establish and monitor production and performance of priorities and standards Deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view Analyze organizational and operational problems and develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (Nights and/or Weekends may be required in emergent situations)

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 dentification 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

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 *** to verify that the social work degree meets the 4 accreditation standards for a masters of social work.

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

• License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript 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 DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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

Receiving Service Credit for 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. 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.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.