Social Worker Assistant Chief

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker Assistant Chief in the Veterans Health Administration based in Salem, Virginia. 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. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Regulations. Preferred Education/Experience: 3 years of supervisory experience preferred. Grade Determinations (GS13)Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. 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. Licensure/Certification. The assistant service chief must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills 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.(d) Knowledge of social work practice policy and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.(e) Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership managers and other staff on social work qualification standards practice competency productivity and continuing education requirements. Assignments. This position is restricted to those serving as a full assistant to the chief social work service for both administrative and professional practice. These individuals share with the chief full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of social work service operations. At the GS13 grade level individuals are typically assigned as assistant chief of a large complex social work service within the organization that offers social work services at VHA facilities with one or more divisions. While the chief has full management andsupervisory responsibility for clinical practice program management education human resource management and supervision and organizational stewardship for the social work program the assistant chief is responsible for supporting these functions per the direction of the chief. In the absence of the social work chief the assistant chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for the social work program. The assistant chief provides supervision to a moderate social work service and staff members of different grades that may include multiple disciplines treatment sites are limited and in close proximity to the medical center and programs are with limited administrative oversite responsibility. Such facilities may offer specialty care and services and may be affiliated with academic institutions. The assistant chief develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and are in compliance with regulations. The assistant chief has responsibility for utilization of resources and budget. They make selections assign personnel and serve as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. Available in the Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be in overall good health able to sit at a desk working at a computer engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting walking bending and carrying supplies. The incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands with reasonable accommodation if necessary without endangering the health and safety of the incumbent or others. Position requires walking throughout the Health Care Center standing for extended periods of time and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Position may require travel into the community to meet with community agencies and partners who aid help and provide support to Veterans and caregivers as well as to our five associated VA Clinic.

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.