Summary

This position functions as a Social Work Coordinator in the HUD-VASH program as a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specialist. HUD-VASH is a collaborative effort, supported through HUD Section 8 rental assistance vouchers and VA's provision of intensive case management services. The primary goal of HUD-VASH is to move veterans and their families out of chronic homelessness.

Qualifications

Resume Requirement: Your resume must be detailed include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week. FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: You are required to attach your most recent SF-50 dated (2024 or 2025 preferred).

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
• [Transcripts must be submitted at time of application
• Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s)
• Unofficial transcripts(s) are acceptable] Licensure
• Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure
• Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
• [Copies of licensure/certification must be submitted with application packet] 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: Senior Social Worker GS-12 Experience and Education: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
• Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring
• (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program
• (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program
• (d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s)
• (e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice
• Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Program coordinators at the GS-12 grade level are administratively responsible for a clinical program providing treatment to Veterans in a major specialty area, such as but not limited to: Spinal Cord Injury, Homeless Continuum Veteran Program, Hospice and Palliative Care Program, Suicide Prevention Program, Veterans Justice Outreach, Caregiver Support Program and Community Nursing Home Program
• The program coordinator may be the sole practitioner in this specialty at the facility and typically provide direct patient care services in the program area
• The program coordinator oversees the daily operation of the program, develop policies and procedures for program operation, and prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use
• They may be responsible for the program's budget, developing and monitoring staff compliance with practice, standards and guidelines on documentation, workload, data entry, ethical practice and service delivery
• The program coordinator provides analysis and evaluation of clinical program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service
• They may be responsible for, or contribute to, the program's resource and fiscal management, monitoring control points developing the annual budget, operating within that budget, and accounting for appropriated funds
• The program coordinator is administratively responsible for the clinical programming and prepares reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use
• They provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned staff
• They initiate and conduct a variety of program or service audits and complete designated clinical practice audits and reports, including productivity assessments
• They oversee program operations and evaluations, identifying areas for improvement, gathering relevant data, assessing the data, developing and implementing ideas for improvement and evaluating efficacy of improvement efforts
• References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-0185 Veterans Health Administration
• Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and prolonged standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files
• In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies
• The incumbent must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary.

Duties

• Candidates will be reviewed for minimum qualifications as outlined in the qualifications section of this announcement and referred to the Loma Linda VA Health Care System Social Worker Interview panel no later than 60 DAYS OF THE VACANCY CLOSURE
• Selected candidates should plan to report to Loma Linda VA Health Care System for fingerprinting and a physical evaluation
• In addition, you will be contacted by various entities within Human Resources to begin all pre-employment processes and must satisfy all condition of employment before a firm offer of employment is made
• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The incumbent serves as a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Coordinator for Homeless Program, specifically for Veterans in HUD-VASH, but will provide consultation as a subject matter expert regarding SUD services to Grant and Per Diem, HCHV Contract Residential Care and Supported Housing in a team oriented, recovery based program
• The SUD Coordinator supports the Homeless Programs by providing early engagement, and ensuring continuity of care between Homeless Programs that serve Veterans with SUDs as they transition from engagement and stabilization through programs such as addiction treatment programs, HCHV Contracted Housing, and Grant Per Diem Programs to HUD-VASH
• The coordinator will be responsible for collaborating with other areas of the facility to develop provides on-going substance use case management and early treatment interventions to promote sustained stability and abstinence in VA transitional and subsidized permanent housing
• These Veterans are frequently homeless due to their SUD activities, so providing SUD treatment support and early intervention promotes recovery, improved quality of life and successful permanent housing
• These Veterans are frequently also diagnosed with co-occurring mental health, physical health and social problems that require particular skill in early intervention and crisis management
• The social worker must be able to develop appropriate professional relationships with the Veterans and meet the Veteran where he or she is ready to engage in treatment
• The social worker also will need to develop liaison relationships with more acute treatment providers/ programs, such as an Intensive Outpatient Program
• Provides direct SUD services, consultation and trainings for the Homeless Program and other programs throughout the Medical Center
• Provides Outreach services for the Homeless Programs in the community
• Provides training for other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team in areas related to substance use disorder assessment and co-occurring disorders
• Independently conducts intake and needs assessment of homeless Veterans and their significant others
• Identifies symptoms leading to clinical diagnoses of substance use disorders
• Provides all necessary assessment functions, e.g
• interviewing, psychosocial histories, and substance use disorder assessments to aid in the development of treatment plans
• Develops comprehensive treatment plans with the Veteran that address the factors that contributed to homelessness, including substance use disorders and other co-occurring factors within a recovery model framework
• Works with the Veteran to realize the Veteran's treatment goals, and reassesses and revises goals as indicated by the Veteran's engagement in treatment
• Organizes and conducts individual and group case management and substance use disorder treatment, to include early interventions and supportive follow-up to ensure stability in home visits and facility based contacts
• Provides substance use disorder support and consultation to the HCHV/VASH team as a functional member of this team, to include consultation, interventions, or accompanying other case managers on home visits, when indicated by suspicion of HCHV/VASH participant SUD use
• Will serve as a member of a multidisciplinary homeless program treatment team
• Will develop partnerships with community agencies, especially those serving homeless and SUD Veterans, with regular contact and communication
• Will provide liaison services with other programs referring homeless Veterans to HUD-VASH to ensure continuity of care and promote successful transition of Veterans from one program to another
• Will participate in policy making, goal setting, and treatment service planning discussions with other members of the VA Homeless Programs
• Provides recovery -oriented treatment with the goal of establishing the Veteran independently in the community at the Veteran's highest level of functioning and quality of life
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (Subject to change based upon the needs of the agency.) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS-0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available