Health and Wellness Coach

Summary

The Health and Wellness Coaches provide services to Veterans seeking self-directed - lasting changes aligned with their values. They provide support that promotes health and enhances well-being - which may support improved health related outcomes - and quality of life.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• (A) United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• (B) Education and/or Experience
• (1) Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position
• OR (2) Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field
• OR (3) Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field
• (C) Certification
• (1) List of certifications
• Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)
• 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)
• Health and Wellness Coach GS-9 (1) Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• (2) Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of current research literature related to health and wellness - including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being
• (b) Skill in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one - couple or group modalities
• (c) Skill in exercising effective interpersonal communication techniques to develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships
• (d) Ability to assist the client in developing a comprehensive personalized health plan based on a patient's action-oriented goals
• (e) Ability to identify resources internal and external to the organization that are necessary for achieving patient overall health and well-being goals
• (f) Ability to use information technology (IT) equipment and various/emerging technologies to carry out work responsibilities
• (g) Ability to document patient information using appropriate systems
• (3) Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve as Health and Wellness Coaches at the full performance level
• Health and Wellness Coaches use behavioral change theories (e.g. - motivational interview and transtheoretical model) and tools to assist individuals in the process of health coaching
• They provide interventions that promote health and wellness and enhance well-being (i.e. - what matters to the individual) - improve health related outcomes - reduce likelihood of inpatient admission and improve quality of life across the continuum of care in all settings
• Health and Wellness Coaches foster an environment that equips and empowers each individual to develop and fully engage in a lifestyle management plan
• Health and Wellness Coaches facilitate the development of personalized health plans that emphasize self-care in combination with conventional treatment plans that include individualized intervention strategies to help the client use existing skills and develop new ones to enhance success
• Health and Wellness Coaches provide information on the relationship between lifestyle and health outcomes - exploring behaviors that increase the risk of developing or worsening chronic disease and those that reduce the likelihood of chronic illness
• They are responsible for guiding individuals to learn about available support tools and resources outside of healthcare (e.g. - social determinants of health) in the community that assist in attainment of goals
• Health and Wellness Coaches contact eligible participants for enrollment and explain the health coaching process
• They develop and distribute locally approved health education materials based on national guidance to patients and family members that are in line with the patient's personalized health plan
• Health and Wellness Coaches are responsible for conducting outreach activities directly to potential participants and internal and external referral sources informing them of available programs and services
• They coordinate care with patients' treatment providers including primary care - specialty care and mental health to ensure identified goals are aligned with the overall plan of care around what matters most to the individual
• They provide health coaching support to multidisciplinary groups whose purpose is to address specific health and well-being goals or metrics in both the inpatient and outpatient setting
• At this level - Health and Wellness Coaches develop individualized health and wellness group curriculum and/or provide input into curriculum developed by higher-level management
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Preferred Experience: 1 year experience working as a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-9. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee `Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• The Health and Wellness Coach duties include - but are not limited to: Provides health coaching to individuals or groups in outpatient and inpatient settings using multiple formats (face-to-face - telephone - virtual - etc.) in order to increase/promote a positive lifestyle (habits and behaviors)
• Support Veterans in fostering internal strengths and external resources to develop self-directed strategies for making personalized - sustainable - healthy lifestyle behavior changes and more effectively manage chronic disease
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary clinical and non-clinical staff and teams throughout the VA health care system on a Veteran-centered process to facilitate and empower Veterans to develop and achieve self-determining goals related to health and well-being and that align with what matters most or their mission - aspiration - or purpose
• Utilizes motivational interviewing - coaching theories - and coaching techniques to assist clients in accomplishing their action steps and goals
• Within the coaching process - addresses appropriate social and structural determinants of health
• Provides education around health and wellness coaching services - evidence - and research
• Follow national Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation guidance and VHA policy relevant to health and wellness coaching
• Utilizes a coaching process model that aligns with NBHWC standards
• Ensures Veterans are aware of what to expect when engaging in coaching
• Connects Veterans with wellbeing services when they are in service of the Veteran's self-identified wellness goals
• Documents coaching encounters in alignment with local and national guidance
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 99325-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.