Social Worker (Clinical Innovation Specialist)

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Have a master’s 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 master’s 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 GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Grade Determination Requirements, Social Worker (Program Coordinator) GS-13:In addition to the basic requirements, this following are required for the GS-13 grade-level position: Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master’s 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: Individuals assigned as a supervisory social workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSA’s), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training. Otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. The GS-13 KSA’s for this subject position are;Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility. Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action. Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations. 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). Preferred Experience: Experience in administration is preferred. Experience with development and/or administration of specialty programs across the facility. Knowledge, experience and understanding of the innovation theories and applications, VHA innovation program policies, practices and procedures. Experience with and ability to work independently with little supervisory oversite when interfacing with National Program offices and external partners. 5 plus years experience in a VA Healthcare System. References: Meets the qualification standard for the GS 13 Supervisory Social Worker as defined in See VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-185, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work requires extreme patience and controlling of emotions. The work may require assisting physically disabled Veterans. Day-today work involves sitting, walking, standing, and carrying light objects. The work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common to the hospital environment.
The position is located in the Innovation Service of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System in Richmond, VA. This position serves as the Clinical Innovation Specialist responsible for leading, coordinating, facilitating, and providing ongoing support to the Innovation Program of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS), VHA Innovators Network, and VHA National Center for Innovation to Impact on the CVHCS campus.