We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker Program Manager in the Veterans Health Administration based in Houston, Texas. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Noncitizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. English Language Proficiency Requirement Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II chapter 3 section A paragraph 3j. 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). GS 15 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates Experience/Education. The social work program manager at the GS15 grade level must have at least four years of experience as a VA clinical social worker with at least oneyear equivalent to the GS14 grade level. The social work program manager must evidence possession of progressively higher supervisory and management skills. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. The individual 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. One year of experience equivalent to the GS 14 Social worker program managers are assigned to manage direct and oversee a major specialty program(s) at the facility VISN or VA Central Office level. As the facility level program manager typical assignments include serving as a care/product line manager. Program managers may have responsibility for staffing work assignments budget services provided program criteria daytoday program operations and all reporting requirements. Additionally program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments determined by the needs of the local facility. The program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify systemwide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. They develop and monitor staff compliance with practice standards and guidelines. As the VISN level program manager typical assignments include overseeing a VISN level program. The program manager serves as consultant to facilities in matters of program operations. They develop and monitor facility compliance with practice standards and guidelines across the VISN. The program manager reviews program status with facility leadership. Additionally program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments determined by the needs of the VISN. The VISN program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify systemwide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. As the national level program manager typical assignments include supporting implementation of a national program. Licensure/Certification. The social work manager 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) Ability to manage and direct unusually large interdisciplinary programs complex organizational units apply effective management practices plan design implement and evaluate a program(s) that encompasses a wide range of facility/healthcare system/VISN/CO activities. (b) Ability to oversee issues related to budget projections and participate with senior leaders from the governing body management and staff in upholding the facility mission vision value and strategic plan to include directly interacting with elected officials on VA related issues/concerns (i.e. members of Congress Veterans Service Organizations State and Local entities). (c) Knowledge in establishing policy procedures and quality monitors while considering multiple priorities funding sources and varying resources. (d) Skill in assessing need for basic and complex services across multiple programmatic patient care venues coordinate and expand the efforts of multiple program elements across a complex system. (e) Knowledge to complete all program evaluations and documents required by the medical center VISN and VHA Central Office ensuring compliance with appropriate accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP). (f) Ability to orient teach and serve as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assists in their formulation of the clinical social work characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding Veterans family members and caregivers. (g) Skill in balancing responsibilities in a complex environment and to work with great autonomy set priorities and delegate tasks meet multiple deadlines analyze complex organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions for those problems. (h) Ability to promote and effectively manage a culturally diverse workforce which embraces the values and needs of all individuals through longterm commitment strategic and business planning education experience which broadens the mindset and by fully managing human resources. Preferred Experience: Prefer applicants with a Doctoral Degree that have served as Chief of Social Work Services at a Level 1A Facility with experience managing the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program (HCHV) the Fisher House and Hoptel Contracts Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC) and VA Domiciliary. References: VA Regulations specifically VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is 15. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. The employee may sit comfortably in an office or clinic to perform the work. However there may be some sitting walking standing bending and carrying items such as books papers and files are required. When carrying out job related duties it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel to MEDVAMC and/or into the community to meet with Veterans their families community partners internal/external stakeholders and other representatives to complete official job related duties. Applicant must be able to independently operate GOV.

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.