Job Description

Summary The Assistant Chief, Social Work Service has full authority and responsibility for providing administrative support to the Chief, SWS. In that capacity the Assistant Chief assists with the overall planning, fiscal budgeting, organizing, directing, and evaluating Social Work within the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center (JDDVAMC). Responsibilities The JDDVAMC is a Level 1C high complexity facility, serving as the primary network site for specialty services, with a variety of clinical programs with a wide range of acute activities providing inpatient and outpatient services and treatment for patients in general medicine and surgery, medical specialty programs, geriatric and extended are, psychiatry, mental health, homeless and justice programs, palliative care, hospice care, home-based primary care, community care, and various other ambulatory care programs with related research, educational and program evaluation function. The Assistant Chief supports the Chief in administrating the Social Work Service professional practice level for more than 159 social workers including subordinate social work program coordinators and supervisors, social work staff, and Social Work Service support staff. The Assistant Chief is responsible to assist the Chief in the strategic planning and operation of Social Work Service. The position also requires that the employee travel to various sites and other VA facilities, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 10) locations, or VA Central Office (VACO) as necessary. The Assistant Chief serves as the primary supervisor (administrate and technical) for subordinate social work supervisory social workers, social work program coordinators/managers, social workers, and support staff assigned to Home and Community Based Services, Caregiver Support Program, Inpatient, Specialty Clinics, Renal, Post 9/11 Military 2VA (M2VA) Case Management Program, Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT/ outpatient) Community Living Center, and Social Work Service support staff. The Assistant Chief makes selections for supervisory and non-supervisory positions, completes performance reviews and mid-years, hears group grievances and serious employee complaints, review serious disciplinary cases (i.e., those proposing suspensions and removals), and disciplinary problems involving employees. The Assistant Chief develops procedures for, and ensures the implementation and achievement of, the provision of social work services to medical facility patients served in inpatient and outpatient programs, as well as Veterans served at CBOCs. S/he provides supports and/or ensures that VA social workers provide and offer information, assistance, and consultation to community health and welfare agencies and councils, and other community groups, to enhance the provision of social services to Veteran patients in the community. The Assistant Chief develops and monitors standards of clinical practice and standards of care for Social Work, including development of care guidelines, manuals, and guides to professional practice. S/he develops consistent standard operating procedures required to accomplish clinical care interventions and ensures that they are followed. The Assistant Chief is responsible for developing patient education materials for Social Work. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Ad hoc at the discretion of the supervisor Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 938010 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Licensure/Certification. The social work executive must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. 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. Grade Determinations (GS-13 Full Performance Level) Experience/Education. Candidates must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 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 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. 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. 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. 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 GS- 13 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 and supervisory 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. Preferred Experience: Supervisory Experience Preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS 13. Physical Requirements: The social work duties include sedentary and ambulation (walking) throughout the medical center and in the community according to the demands of daily tasks. Light carrying, less than 15 pounds-may be required as part of duties related to storing or moving files. Working around moving objects or vehicles required as part of daily ambulating within the medical center around patients who use motorized scooters and wheelchairs. Working along-duties require working along at intervals during the day (i.e., documenting progress notes, completing phone call, etc.). Reaching above shoulder- may be required during daily task to access files located in overhead cabinets. Walking- required approximately 3-4 hours daily associated with walking from assigned office to outpatient clinics and other medical center departments as needed to complete duties of the position. Standing-required approximately 3-4 hours daily associated with walking from assigned office to outpatient clinics and other departments within the medical center as needed to complete duties of the position and filing patient records as needed. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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