Social Worker (Local Recovery Coordinator)

Summary The Social Worker Program Coordinator, is the Local Recovery Coordinator (LRC) for the Syracuse VA Medical Center and all related locations. This position is located in the Mental Health Integrated Care Community in the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The LRC Social Worker demonstrates an ability to expand clinical knowledge in the profession, provide consultation and guidance to colleagues, and provide clinical supervision for Social Work licensure. Responsibilities Duties include, but are not limited to the duties below: The LRC is a subject matter expert regarding Peer Support as a recovery- oriented service and promising best practice with specific and clear requirements to ensure fidelity as required. Incumbent will assist Peer Support Staff supervisor's with input on employee performance critiques. Coordinates with Peer supervisors for vacant or new Peer Support positions for recruitments and participates in interviews with input on selections. Facilitates ongoing meetings and training with Peer Support in VA ECHCS while providing twice annual training to Program Managers to ensure Peer Support is utilized to the fidelity of the model. Is involved in the development of a peer support volunteer program as appropriate based on national standards The incumbent is responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, and affirmative action for the area under his/her supervision in the following: (1) merit promotion of employees and recruitment and hiring of applicants; (2) fair treatment of all employees; (3) encouragement and recognition of employee achievement; (4) career development of employees; and (5) full utilization of their skills. Is responsible for the management of the SMI Re-Engagement Project as defined in VHA Directive 1163 which includes outreach to Veterans with SMI identified by SMITREC as being lost to VA care for over one year and the facilitation of Veteran's return to care based on Veteran's request. The LRC is an advocate for VHA Directive 1163.07 Services for Veterans Experiencing Early Psychosis (October 7, 2020). Promotes the use and availability recovery services available in the catchment of the Syracuse VA including Peer Support, IMCHR/MHICM and VHA Vocational Rehabilitation services and Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery program, in addition to all recovery-oriented Mental Health Services. Serves as a liaison to the Syracuse VA catchment community and is responsible for the coordination of the annual Mental Health Summit. Is responsible for the development and support of a Veteran Mental Health Council. Develops and maintains high-quality team functioning and processes while meeting all Environment of Care and programmatic requirements. Works closely with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health and other Mental Health program leadership, and other services located throughout the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Fosters a cohesive interdisciplinary team environment. Assists in overseeing compliance with the successful execution of Mental Health Performance Measures, SAIL, workload, VERA capture, Veteran patient satisfaction, and quality assurance. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See 'Additional Information' below for details. 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: 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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work. 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. 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: GS-12 Social Worker 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. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Created: 2024-11-02