Summary The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) is part of the Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 - Rocky Mountain Network and serves Veterans throughout Eastern Colorado. Responsibilities Principal Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Serve as an Assistant to Chief of Care Management and supports all staff and programs within the service. 2. Direct oversight and responsibility over Complex Specialty Programs including Human Trafficking, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP), and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Program. 3. Manage staffing, work assignments, budget, services provided, program criteria, day-to-day program operations, and all reporting requirements for all of Care Management Service as well as assist in credentialing and privileging for Social Workers across other services. 4. Provide analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service across all programs within the service. 5. Develop and monitor staff compliance with practice, standards, and guidelines across service and overall Social Work Discipline. 6. Develop policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the programs and in participating in facility, VISN and national program development. 7. Serve as a CC&ICM Co-Champion for the facility and offer consultative services to other VA Facilities and VISNs in CC&ICM implementation across the continuum of psychosocial services. Provides Social Work Practice Expertise and Technical Assistance: The incumbent is the designated expert concerning the provision of case management services. Will cover for the Social Work Executive functions, including licensure, VetPro, credentialing and privileging, and qualifications standard knowledge. Will assist less experienced and less knowledgeable staff with technical expertise and guidance for patients with unusual or complicated medical and mental health conditions, risk factors, and ethical or legal circumstances. Will provide this assistance for social work and other staff as needed or requested. This includes the interpretation of VHA Directives, Medical Center Policies, Program Handbooks, and applicable state laws and guidelines. Establish collaborative relationships with physicians, psychologists, pharmacists, and other disciplines to foster their involvement in the case management of Veterans. Advocate on behalf of case management services and facilitate communication with facility executive leadership on case management strengths and challenges. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to assess case management composition, structure and services to identify promising practices and gaps in case management services. Identify opportunities to enhance communication, collaboration, and coordination across the care continuum. Education, Coaching, Consulting, and Mentoring: Directs/coordinates clinical and psychosocial services and is accountable for the overall effectiveness of the services provided. Modifies services to best meet the treatment needs of veterans and to promote efficient practice. Coordinates Care Management services with other services offered in the treatment program, assuring such services are complementary and comprehensive. Directs activities to maximize effectiveness, efficiency, and continuity of care for veterans. Provides case management services to those veterans at high social, psychiatric, or medical risk, serving as the liaison to other treatment programs. Represents the program in contacts with other agencies and the public. 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. Facilitate and/or coordinate training on nationally recognized case management standards of practice to ensure delivery of professional case management services across the healthcare continuum. Promote the benefits of case management certification for facility case managers. Develop and facilitate educational programs informing the Veteran consumer and family members regarding available case management services. Program Evaluation: Provides timely and accurate information both verbally and in writing for reports to the Service Chief, and others as indicated by program requirements. Develops and implements program specific guidelines and policies as required. Keeps staff fully informed at monthly staff meetings of eligibility criteria, relevant services, and changes as they occur within their program. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework: Available ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: SWPMDC-GS-0185-14FS57766-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens 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 tohttp://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/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). Grade Determinations: GS-13 Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. Individual 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. Must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills, must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and 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 administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions, clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments, and quality improvement. (b) Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to social work practice. (c) Ability to develop, maintain, and oversee social work programs in all settings. (d) Knowledge of social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care. (e) Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements. Preferred Experience: Three years experience as a Veterans Administration Manager. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably while working. However, there may be some light exertion required when walking, standing, bending, or climbing stairs, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small objects, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. 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/. 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. 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. 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 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.