Health and Wellness Coach

Summary

This position is located at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center and the Delray Beach VA Clinic. 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

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 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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: Knowledge of current research literature related to health and wellness - including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being
• Skill in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one - couple or group modalities
• Skill in exercising effective interpersonal communication techniques to develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships
• Ability to assist the client in developing a comprehensive personalized health plan based on a patient's action-oriented goals
• Ability to identify resources internal and external to the organization that are necessary for achieving patient overall health and well-being goals
• Ability to use information technology (IT) equipment and various/emerging technologies to carry out work responsibilities
• Ability to document patient information using appropriate systems
• Preferred Experience: Health and Wellness Coaching Certification Proficient in the delivery of virtual and in person Health and Wellness Coaching Delivering group patient encounters (e.g
• education - mind body skills - coaching) Experience documenting in a Electronic Medical Record Proficient in the use of Microsoft applications (including but not limited to Microsoft Teams) Experience coaching as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• 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: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available
• The announcement may be closed at any time after the initial open period once all vacancies have been filled
• Health and Wellness Coaches work with individuals to identify their motivation for change - determine goals for their work together - develop sustainable action steps toward achieving their short- and long-term goals - implementing action plans - and assess progress and to adjust plans as needed
• Health and Wellness Coaches provide support to positively influence the relationship between lifestyle and health outcomes
• Major Duties and Responsibilities: Provides health coaching to individuals or groups in outpatient and inpatient settings using multiple formats (face-to-face - telephone - virtual - etc.) to increase/promote a positive lifestyle - habits - and behaviors
• Support Veterans in fostering internal strengths and external resources to develop self-directed strategies for 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 in a Veteran-centered process to facilitate and empower Veterans to develop and achieve self-determining goals related to health and well-being that align with what matters most and their mission - aspiration - or purpose
• Utilizes motivational interviewing - coaching theories - and coaching techniques to assist clients in accomplishing their action steps and goals
• 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 informed of what to expect when engaging in coaching
• Connects Veterans with well-being services when they are in service of the Veteran's self-identified wellness goals
• Documents coaching encounters in alignment with local and national guidance
• The incumbent works under the general supervision of a Supervisory Health and Wellness Coach (or designee when appropriate) - who establishes objectives and department priorities
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 99325-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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.