Social Worker Service Chief

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

The Successful Applicant

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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 section A paragraph 3g this part). 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 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. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the masters degree in 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 masters degree level. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS9 grade level. For the GS11 grade level and above the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment the supervisor chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. 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: Social Worker (Service Chief) GS14 Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS13 grade level. The chief social work service must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills. Experience must demonstrate 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. Licensure/Certification. The chief social worker 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: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Social Worker GS0185 Series Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is 14. Physical Requirements: The position requires potential periods of walking standing sitting and carrying supplies. The incumbent may be rarely exposed to infected patients contaminated materials and in rare cases may be required to don protective clothing. The need to utilize Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior interventions may be required occasionally. Must be in overall good health mature flexible capable of working in stressful situations with occasional moderate physical demands and able to exhibit patience and emotional control.

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.