Health and Wellness Coach

Summary 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. Working with individuals on identifying their motivation for change - determining goals for their work together. Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic will be your reporting station with travel to the other CBOCs in Columbus - GA Summary 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. Working with individuals on identifying their motivation for change - determining goals for their work together. Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic will be your reporting station with travel to the other CBOCs in Columbus - GA 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 Language: Health and Wellness Coach candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f) Experience and/or Education: 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 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 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: List of certifications Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Exception for Non-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification - may be given a temporary appointment as Health and Wellness Coach under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2) Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Health and Wellness Coach at or above the full performance level or other designated occupation with the appropriate training and expertise Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted until certification is obtained Temporary appointments of non-certified Health and Wellness Coaches may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment Failure to Obtain Certification In all cases - Health and Wellness Coaches must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of their placement into the occupation At the time of appointment - the Human Resources (HR) Office staff in collaboration with the supervisor will provide the uncertified Health and Wellness Coaches with the written requirement to obtain certification - the date by which the certification must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment Loss of Credential Management officials - in collaboration with HR office staff - must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required certification of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation - which may also result in separation from employment Grandfathering Provision Employees in VHA in this occupation - under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including certification For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions

• 2) Employees in an occupation that requires a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• 3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• 4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• 5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic or assignment specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation GRADE DETERMINATIONS

In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 4 - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates Health and Wellness Coach - GS-09 Experience One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade 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 Preferred Experience: Must be National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach NBC-HWC Experience in Health Coaching: Prior work as a health coach or wellness coach - especially with individuals managing chronic conditions

Healthcare Experience: Experience working within healthcare systems - particularly with veterans or diverse populations Formal training in pain-related coaching approaches.1-2 years of experience working formally with an interdisciplinary pain team - 6 months to 1 year actively practicing motivational interviewing and coaching with Veterans - 1-2 years Coaching a VHA MOVE! group (Patient and/or Staff) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary Some work may require movement between offices - hospitals - warehouses - and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work Work may also require walking/standing - in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds IMPORTANT: National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate of completion from an Approved Health & Wellness Coach Training Program & Transcripts must be submitted with your application Duties Major 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 7:30am-4:0 0pm - Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need to work schedule Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 99325S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs