Supervisory Social Worker

Social Work Position

The VA Midwest Health Care Network 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.

The incumbent monitors workload activity oversees referral of veterans to community care, inpatient care referrals, and care coordination and clinical supervision of assigned social workers. In addition, this position provides a wide range of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. The incumbent directly supervises the practice of staff assigned to their section, including orientation and close monitoring of new or less experienced staff. The incumbent provides social work coverage for areas where service gaps exist. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Completes psychosocial assessments, and medical record documentation including Clinical Reminders in accordance with Fargo VA Health Care System policies and guidelines.
• Supervises outpatient social workers, psychologists, licensed mental health professional counselors, and other mental health professionals who are performing work at various GS levels.
• Performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques including competency assessments, performance appraisals and Scope of Practice. Provides informal feedback on a consistent basis to promote the professional development of assigned staff. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary.
• Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Responsible for staffing/ coverage in assigned areas.
• Incumbent works to resolve informal complaints and grievances. The incumbent is responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, and affirmative action for the area under incumbent supervision in the following: (1) merit promotion of employees and recruitment and hiring of applicants; (2) fair treatment of all employees; (3) encouragement and recognition of employee achievements; (4) career development of employees; and (5) full utilization of their skills.
• Incumbent supports adherence to the standards of Social Work Practice as outlined by VHA Social Work Professional Practice.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit our EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and 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 are ineligible to apply.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework: Available (Ad-hoc)