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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator) Experience/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. Candidates 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. Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Preferred Experience: Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-0185, Veterans Health Administration, dated September 10, 2019. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. ["Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates EDRP Authorized: Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required A relocation/recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants. The Hospice and Palliative Care Senior Social Worker is an independent professional specialized social worker assigned to Geriatrics and Extended Care Service and aligned with the Palliative Care Consult team. The incumbent of the position serves a Veteran patient population with highly complex health and mental health problems. They directs/coordinates clinical and psychosocial services and is accountable for the overall effectiveness of the services provided, modifying services to best meet the treatment needs of Veterans to promote efficient practice. The social worker will provide services via telephone or video contact and face-to-face visits. Duties for the position may include but are not limited to: Individual, group and family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level case management interventions used in the treatment of veterans with complex medical and psychiatric disorders in either an inpatient or outpatient basis. Participation as an active member of the inpatient and outpatient Palliative Care interdisciplinary treatment teams to provide social work interventions to Veterans and/or their families to meet treatment goals within the context of their goals of care. Development and implementation of a bereavement support program, in conjunction with the Chaplain service, for the families of veterans who die at the VA Medical Center. Participation in active case finding for the inpatient and outpatient Palliative Care services. Maintenance of effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families experiencing a wide range of psychosocial, medical, emotional, behavioral, and environmental issues. Training, consultation and education to other treatment teams, staff members, and the community at large regarding hospice and palliative services, and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Helping the Veteran cope with end-of-life or complex chronic illness diagnoses and assessment of treatment options and when appropriate, making referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of the surrogate decision-maker. Supporting end-of-life planning/care preferences through assistance with advance directives and completion of goals of care conversations. Making rapid assessments and developing management plans in periods of crisis for Veterans and their families. Providing education and referrals where appropriate related to the patient's VA, Social Security, disability benefits, and community resources. Acting as the representative and liaison of Hospice and Palliative Care from the facility to the greater community and acting as an advocate to serve the best interests of the Veteran, family, and caregiver. Attending to administrative duties including entering all Veteran and support system contacts in the electronic medical record in a complete, confidential, and professional manner using appropriate formats and templates. Develops and implements methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the Hospice and Palliative Care specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations such as the Bereaved Family Survey to improve treatment services. Supports compliance of the Palliative Care Program with Joint Commission standards for the provision of palliative and hospice care. Teach and mentor staff and students in the specialty area of practice and provide supervision for licensure or specialty certifications. Other related duties as assigned."]

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