Social Worker Assistant Chief

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

The Successful Applicant

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. sect 7402(b)(9) as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106419 enacted November 1 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA all applicants must meet the following: 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).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. 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 masters degree level. Grandfathering Provision. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. sect 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Assistant Chief) GS12Experience/Education. Individuals assigned as assistant service chiefs must have the equivalent of at least one year of creditable experience comparable to the GS11 grade level. The assistant service chief 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. Candidates 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. Individual 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:(a) Knowledge of administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions clinical supervision consultation negotiation with other departments and quality improvement.(b) Knowledge of legal ethical and professional standards applicable to social work practice.(c) Ability to develop maintain and oversee social work programs in all settings. This includes identifying needs for social work assessment evaluation and treatment determining priority needs for social work services and recommending adjustments to staffing levels accordingly.(d) Demonstrated global knowledge of social work practice in health care and mental health settings including resources and the policies and procedures pertaining to home and communitybased care acute care ambulatory care long term care performance measures and clinical guidelines.(e) Ability to provide consultation to care line managers and other staff on social work qualification standards social work practice social work competency social work productivity and social work continuing education.(f) Ability to provide supervision for social work licensure and practice supervision for facility social workers. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39

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.