Summary

The Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Team (HPACT) Social Worker Coordinator - located at the San Francisco VA Health Care System's (SFVAHCS) Community Based Out-Patient Clinic catchment area - works with members of the multidisciplinary HPACT and clinic teams - providing a range of social work services - including assessment and referrals - clinical treatment - short-term case management - advocacy and service coordination - outreach - and linkage with VA and community services.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9) - as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 - enacted November 1 - 2000
• To qualify for appointment as a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - GS-0185-12 - in VHA - all applicants must meet the following 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: 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 job series at 12 grade level in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to Advanced Practice Level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services
• Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered in the VA Title 38 Hybrid Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation series - 0185 - with permanent appointment and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - GS-12 (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 (KSA)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation - negotiation - and monitoring
• (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines for the program
• (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program
• (d) Skill in organizing work - setting priorities - meeting multiple deadlines - and evaluating assigned program area(s)
• (e) Ability to provide training - orientation - and guidance within clinical practice
• References: See Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) website for VA specific qualification standards: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO)
• Physical Demands: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking - talking - driving - use of the telephone - etc
• Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their daily activities
• Light lifting and carrying - under 15 pounds
• Travel Demand: This position is required to travel up to 75% of work will be performed in a wide range of settings - including the medical center
• street-based settings - in client - group or family homes
• in community-based outpatient settings - community agencies
• or in transport vehicles as well as meeting employers (public or government)
• Driver's License: This position is required to possess an Current and Active California driver's license and maintain the license in a good standing.

Duties

• The job functions and responsibilities for this position as Social Worker (Program Coordinator)-HPACT are listed below but not limited to: Possess knowledge of the needs of the homeless population in the San Francisco Bay Area
• The HPACT program is staffed by a full-time Social Work Coordinator - part-time Physician - Psychiatrist - Registered Nurse - and Licensed Vocational Nurse - in addition to the full-time Social Worker Case manager
• All members participate in outreach targeting chronically homeless Veterans who are \"street homeless -\" in shelters - and other temporary housing situations - who are eligible for VA care but who have not established ongoing primary care in the SFVA system
• Possess the knowledge and experience in the use of medical - mental health - and substance abuse treatment modalities - and is able to complete a comprehensive psychosocial assessment to identify strengths - needs - social support systems - disabilities - and barriers to accessing housing and available treatment options
• Possess the general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services related to special programs - service-connected compensation - non-service-connected pensions - and benefits that are available on the federal and state levels - and through city/county social services
• Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct a psychosocial assessment with a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds
• The assessment includes documentation of identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse - neglect - exploitation and/or intimate partner violence - as well as strengths - limitations - coping skills - and internal/external support and service needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status Be sensitive to the needs of homeless Veterans and their families - realizing that homelessness creates added stress on Veterans and their loved ones
• Develops the assessment in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the Veteran - available family members and significant others Is aware of the special challenges in working with Veterans with co-morbid physical - mental health - and substance use diagnoses - and is able to work with this Veteran population
• Is responsible for outreach to homeless Veterans and can work confidently with city/county agencies to increase resources for \"street homeless\" or marginally housed Veterans
• The goal is to increase stability in Veterans' lives and assist Veterans in returning to independent and healthy lifestyles
• Provide leadership - direction - orientation - coaching - in-service training - staff development - and continuing education programs for assigned staff
• developing and monitoring staff compliance with practice - standards and guidelines on documentation - workload - data entry - ethical practice and service delivery
• Duty Location: 401 Third Stress - San Francisco - CA 94107 Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm - or determined by the hiring manager