Career Center

The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) Coordinator responsibilities are to provide clinical evidence-based services and intervention; program development; caregiver, Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues; community outreach; resource development; continuous quality improvement activities and evaluation/consultation. They support caregivers, Veterans, and family members throughout the Medical Center and community with development/implementation of Caregiver services. 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/. Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. 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. § 7403(f). 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). Creditable Experience. The candidate must have knowledge of current professional social work practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional social work practice. The experience or education must be post-Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree. Experience and education satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as a professional social worker, as defined by the appropriate state licensing board. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation with a master's degree in social work and if it includes work as a professional social worker directly related to the position to be filled. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to social work experience at the next lower level. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, one week of full-time credit is equivalent to two weeks of part-time work. Fellowships or Post-Graduate Training. Fellowship and post-graduate training programs are typically in a specialized area of clinical practice, i.e., group or family practice. Training as a fellow or post-graduate may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. Practicum in a VA Setting. A VHA practicum experience may not be substituted for experience, as the practicum (field placement) is completed prior to graduation with a master's degree in social work. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 Experience and Education. One 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. Licensure/Certification. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 Dated September 10, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12, which is the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. ["Assists in ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical program. Administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of services provided to veterans. The Coordinator will develop a data monitoring system to measure the efficacy of the General Caregiver Support Program. The incumbent will become knowledgeable with national CSP IT databases (CARMA).The Coordinator collects, analyzes, and reports program data to local management, VISN Caregiver Support Coordinator Lead and the National Caregiver Support Program, Care Management and Social Work Service, Office of Patient Care Services. Evaluates program progress and outcomes and utilizes data to continuously modify and improve the program and processes. The Coordinator coordinates the events and programs for the annual National Family Caregivers Month every November that includes announcement and advertising of monthlong activities, mobilization of participants, educational sessions, caregiver recognition events and caregiver support programs. The incumbent is responsible for supporting the mission, policies, and procedures of the VA, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the appropriate Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), the facility, and the Caregiver Support Program. Develops, implements, and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services. The Coordinator, in collaboration with the with other clinical staff and program managers, will establish a caregiver support protocol (resources, education and training) sensitive to the issues of the caregivers. Performs analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies (public, state, etc.). The incumbent is responsible for providing appropriate documentation, reviewing and follow-up of complaints regarding the General Caregiver program as appropriate. He/she is also responsible for organizing and preparing reports concerning the Social Work Role in the program for the Medical Center Director, VISN liaison and Central Office. May serve on other committees, councils, workgroups, and/or task forces. Serves as liaison to community agencies and networks with agency representatives. The incumbent provides both informal and formal education to VA staff on any changes in VA policy concerning the Caregiver Support Program. Keeps supervisor apprised of problems and recommends solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility. Develops and implements information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, caregiver demographics, equipment utilization and caregiver and Veteran satisfaction. Develops implements and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services. Conducts caregiver and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress, and social needs as treatment issues. Professional judgment, including the knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior, is an inherent competency applied in daily interactions with caregivers and the Veterans they care for. Provides coverage for PCAFC Social Work Coordinator and CSP program manager. Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or VISN, as appropriate. Facilitates connections with other health care programs to effectively coordinate services. Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and use of proper CPT and diagnostic codes. Complies with Social Work peer review procedures and participates in supervision as appropriate. Must comply with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program. Performs other related duties as otherwise assigned. ACADEMIC FUNCTIONS May provide clinical supervision to various disciplines and levels of training, including trainees. May be involved in Social Work Training and Education Committee. Provides leadership, guidance, and consultation to trainees. Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff Participates in program evaluation and research activities as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 25667F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]