Social Worker (Service Chief)

Veterans Health Administration

Job Location:

Big Spring, TX - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 143765 - 186693

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

The WTVAHCS Social Work Chief manages Social Work Service and has responsibility for overseeing the clinical and professional practice of all facility social workers regardless of organizational alignment including participation in the selection and credentialing of social workers and the process for obtaining licensure.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The WTVAHCS has a variety of clinical programs with a wide range of services providing residential and outpatient services and treatment for patients in general medicine primary care medical specialty programs geriatric and extended care psychiatry substance abuse palliative care hospice care home-based primary care community care Caregiver and Homeless Programs and various other ambulatory care programs with educational and program evaluation functions. The position requires that the employee travel to various sites and to other VA facilities within the WTVAHCS Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) or VACO as necessary. Incumbent is a full-time administrator which includes oversight of subordinate social workers coordinators and program managers. Ensures high quality social work services across multiple VA sites throughout the WTVAHCS in Texas and New Mexico.

The incumbent serves as the liaison to other services or care lines other facilities VISN and VHA Central Office. This position also serves as liaison with Veterans Benefits Administration Offices other government agencies and the community. The incumbent is responsible for advising management of specific clinical or administrative issues within Social Work Service and within the medical center. The position serves as a consultant mentor and advisor to subordinates peers and administration.

The Social Work Chief serves on facility committees and attends leadership meetings ensuring social work representation as necessary. Attends and participates in VISN and VACO Social Work meetings. When needed they may also serve on VISN and VACO level committees.
The incumbent is expected to provide clinical supervision and maintain active clinical practice as determined by the facility Chief of Staff.

Duties are continued in the Education Section.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave 13 days of sick leave 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth adoption or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment full time employees with a total family income below $144000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: This is an onsite position. Telework may be offered when deemed necessary by the department AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional episodic or short-term basis and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 55040-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure: Required

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.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English

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).

Education
You must possess a masters 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the masters degree in Social Work.

License or Certification - You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level.

Grade Determinations:

Social Work (Service Chief) GS-185-14

Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

Experience Requirement: You must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: responsibility for management of small to moderately complex social work service within a healthcare organization; provides supervision to social work service staff members of different grade or experience levels; supervision may include multiple disciplines treatment sites that are limited and in close proximity to the medical facility and programs are with limited administrative oversite responsibility; full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of social work service operations including clinical practice program management education human resource management and supervision. Experience must demonstrate possession of supervisory and management skills as well as advanced practice skills and judgment demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

*Note: To be equivalent to the GS-13 level experience must have also been obtained while having an advanced practice level social work license as described above.

In addition to the experience above you must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Skill in providing the full range of supervisory duties across multiple service divisions/sections which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed performance evaluation selection of staff and recommendations of awards advancements and when appropriate disciplinary actions.
Skill in applying legal ethical and professional standards to social work practice.
Skill in developing maintaining and managing social work services in multiple divisions/sections.
Ability to ensure compliance with social work practice policy and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.
Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership managers and other staff on social work qualification standards practice competency productivity and continuing education requirements.
Skill in administrative oversight to ensure compliance with social work licensure requirements.

Preferred Experience:

1 to 2 years supervisor experience managing a Social Work program such as Health Care for Homeless Veterans/HUDVASH Caregiver Support Program or PACT Social Work.
Experience resolving grievances and serious complaints from employees Veterans/families community partners and stakeholders.
Excellent interpersonal skills to address requests/needs of staff colleagues leadership VISN VACO Congressional Representativeness.
Knowledge of programs aligned with Social Work (such as HCHV HUDVASH Caregiver)
Clinical Supervisor Credential in a US State or Territory

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14. This position is above the full-performance level for this occupation.

Physical Requirements:
Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination

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: must possess a masters 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the masters degree in Social Work.

NOTE: If your school has changed names or is no longer in existence you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website ( you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Duties continued:

The Social Work Service Chief

manages and directs all social work activities in a dedicated social work product line including supervisory authority interventions to resolve administrative problems and participates in program evaluations and performance appraisals.
consults with other services program managers or care line managers on issues pertaining to Social Work clinical practice ethics ethical dilemmas in the delivery of care and ethical issues within the larger organization.
serves as the Social Work professional practice consultant and primary contact for all Social Work services at the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS). The role entails providing professional practice oversight of all WTVAHCS Social Workers requiring a collaborative and professional working relationship with Service Chiefs to ensure successful co-management of social workers not aligned under Social Work Service.
serves as the liaison with other services and facilities.
9In collaboration with other Service Chiefs managers and other staff) provides guidance and recommendations on social work qualification standards social work practice social work competency social work productivity and social work continuing education.
works with other service line chiefs to ensure that all social workers regardless of their alignment within the VA medical facility have performance plan elements and standards specific to their programs. These standards must comply with the social work functional statement licensure requirements scope of practice and clinical privileging.
has full responsibility for program administration in the delivery of Social Work services.
ensures the delivery of Social Work services on a routine and emergent basis informs other disciplines in writing of changes in social work program policies and procedures and ensures quality essential clinical Social Work functions are provided.
ensures social work services including services provided off-site are incorporated across clinical care areas as clinically indicated and with VA medical facility social workers practicing at the top of their education skill and licensure level and in accordance with their scope of practice credentialing privileging and clinical assignment.
develops and monitors procedures to ensure local compliance with social work practice standards and guidelines on documentation workload data entry ethical practice and service delivery as defined by the VHA and other professional accrediting and regulatory agencies. This includes implementing a standardized process for supervising and monitoring the documentation of social work trainees as outlined in VHA Handbook 1400.04(1) Supervision of Associated Health Trainees.
develops and implements a Social Work professional practice review collaboration with Human Resources or other offices responsible for credentialing the incumbent tracks required licensure and/or certification for all social workers including: continuing education requirements licensure renewal and other requirements social workers must meet to deliver appropriate care; assisting with credentialing and primary source verification of degree license and state certification; ability to provide supervision for social work licensure and practice supervision for facility social workers.
is responsible for maintaining academic affiliations for social work practice which may include arranging and coordinating Social Work Field Practice placements at the Medical Center and serves as the point of contact for universities seeking to place Social Workers.
coordinates and oversees clinical supervision towards licensure for entry level social workers to ensure supervision hours are completed for facility staff and ensure licensure at the independent or advanced practice level within 3 years of appointment.
has the ability to provide supervision for social work licensure and practice supervision for facility social workers.
makes recommendations for recruitment of staff and continuing education of staff.
manages coordinates and has administrative oversight regarding legal services for guardianship appointment for patients as needed. Incumbent will educate clinical staff throughout the organization on the process and appropriate use of guardianship.

Duties continued in Additional Info section

Additional information

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.

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 applicants 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.

Duties Continued:

develops and monitors standards of clinical practice/standards of care for Social Work including development of care guidelines manuals and guides to professional practice.
compiles and disseminates social work quality management findings actions and outcomes to social workers medical care center staff and leadership personnel. Incumbent has responsibility for the preparation of reports as assigned by the Chief of Staff Medical Center Director VISN 17 or to VHA Social Work in Care Management and Social Work Service at VA Central Office.
serves on facility committees and attend leadership meetings or ensure appropriate social work representation is appointed to required meetings at the local VISN and National level.
serves as a vital professional resource with consultative authority to Local Leadership in their compliance with standards defined by VHA and accrediting organizations such as The Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation (TJCHA) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards applicable to Social Work. Sites with current 3-year accreditation from CARF must keep up with annual requirements until the accreditation expires.
establishes and chairs the Social Work Professional Practice Council to oversee social work practice at WTVAHCS. The council identifies areas of social work practice improvement and ensures compliance with VHA Directive Social Work Professional Practice 1110.02.
ensures professional Social Work services are effectively incorporated in patient care delivery systems across the medical center with the intention of promoting the scope integrity and fidelity of professional Social Work practice and ensuring the delivery of appropriate and comprehensive Social Work services to Veterans.
is available on an emergency basis for emergent social work needs (abuse and neglect concerns patient abandonment etc.). Upon opening an urgent care center the incumbent will ensure on-site or on-call access to social work services for Urgent Care patients to ensure compliance with the VHA Urgent Care Directive 1101.13(1).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required Experience:

Chief

SummaryThe WTVAHCS Social Work Chief manages Social Work Service and has responsibility for overseeing the clinical and professional practice of all facility social workers regardless of organizational alignment including participation in the selection and credentialing of social workers and the pro...

Key Skills

Motivational Interviewing
Acute Care
Crisis Intervention
Behavioral Health
Intake Experience
Hospice Care
Case Management
Home Care
Child Welfare
Experience with Children
Social Work
Addiction Counseling

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Social Worker (Service Chief)

Big Spring, TX - USA

Job Summary

Summary

Duties