Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

The Social worker who serve as the Program Coordinator at the GS-12 grade are administratively responsible for a clinic program providing treatment to patients in a major specialty, such as Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Medical Foster Home, Community Residential Care, Community Nursing Home Program, Adult Day Health Care, Respite, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Caregiver Support Coordinator, Local Recovery Coordinator, and other specialized programs. Basic Requirements 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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. 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 for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. (1) Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidate 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. (2) Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The position is above full performance level, GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with this assignment are typical for this occupation. See duties section for essential job duties for the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing, as conditions of the employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting, with minimal risk that requires normal safety precautions. The area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However the work environment requires someone to have the ability to handle several tasks at once, and sometimes in stressful situations. #J-18808-Ljbffr