Social Worker (Service Chief)

Description:

The WTVAHCS Social Work Chief manages Social Work Service and has responsibility for overseeing the clinical and professional practice of all facility social workers regardless of organizational alignment, including participation in the selection and credentialing of social workers and the process for obtaining licensure.

Requirements:

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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English

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).

Education
You must possess 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work.

License or Certification - You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.


Grade Determinations :

Social Work (Service Chief), GS-185-14

Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

Experience Requirement: You must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: responsibility for management of small to moderately complex social work service within a healthcare organization; provides supervision to social work service staff members of different grade or experience levels; supervision may include multiple disciplines, treatment sites that are limited and in close proximity to the medical facility, and programs are with limited administrative oversite responsibility; full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of social work service operations including clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management and supervision. Experience must demonstrate possession of supervisory and management skills as well as advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

*Note: To be equivalent to the GS-13 level, experience must have also been obtained while having an advanced practice level social work license as described above.

In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in providing the full range of supervisory duties across multiple service divisions/sections, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluation, selection of staff, and recommendations of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions.
• Skill in applying legal, ethical, and professional standards to social work practice.
• Skill in developing, maintaining, and managing social work services in multiple divisions/sections.
• Ability to ensure compliance with social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.
• Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements.
• Skill in administrative oversight to ensure compliance with social work licensure requirements.

Preferred Experience:

• 1 to 2 years supervisor experience managing a Social Work program such as Health Care for Homeless Veterans/HUDVASH, Caregiver Support Program, or PACT Social Work.
• Experience resolving grievances and serious complaints from employees, Veterans/families, community partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to address requests/needs of staff, colleagues, leadership, VISN, VACO, Congressional Representativeness.
• Knowledge of programs aligned with Social Work (such as HCHV, HUDVASH, Caregiver)
• Clinical Supervisor Credential in a US State or Territory

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

The grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14. This position is above the full-performance level for this occupation.

Physical Requirements:
Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination