Chief Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Chief Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States Education: Have a Masters 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the masters degree in Social Work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above the following qualification criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Service Chief) GS14 Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS13 grade level. The chief social worker must have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. May have certification or other postmasters 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. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in providing the full range of supervisory duties across multiple service divisions/sections which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed performance evaluation selection of staff and recommendations of awards advancements and when appropriate disciplinary actions. Skill in applying legal ethical and professional standards to social work practice. Skill in developing maintaining and managing social work services in multiple divisions/sections. Ability to ensure compliance with social work practice policy and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care. Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership managers and other staff on social work qualification standards practice competency productivity and continuing education requirements. Skill in administrative oversight to ensure compliance with social work licensure requirements. Assignment. At the GS14 grade level size scope significance and impact are greater than the GS13 grade level. The chief social worker responsibility includes management of large complex social work services within the organization. The chief social worker is the highest level professional position at the facility with responsibility for the professional practice of all facility social workers and provision of social work services. The chief social worker provides supervision to social work service with multiple sections or programs across the health care delivery system as well as an assistant chief and supervisors. Social work service includes staff members of different grades as well as multiple disciplines various treatment sites and at locations close to and distant from the medical center. The chief social worker has full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of social work service operations including clinical practice program management education human resource management and supervision of the service. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Mostly sedentary. May require occasional light lifting and foot travel. Driving travel to community based clinics and ambulatory care centers as needed up to 400 miles round trip. Air travel possibly required for special purposes. Preferred Experience and Certifications Reference: VA Regulations specifically VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

What’s on Offer

The role offers excellent opportunities for top performers to further develop their competencies as a social worker and improving the lives of people.