Summary The Social Worker is assigned as a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Program Coordinator for the Mental Health Service (MHS) within the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. The incumbent provides oversight of BHIP teams to ensure delivery of recovery-oriented mental health services for Veteran patients & their families. Serves as a Team Lead for all interdisciplinary members of their assigned BHIP team(s) & as the direct supervisor for some members of the BHIP team(s). Responsibilities As a BHIP Program Coordinator, the Social Worker assists in planning, establishing, and implementing policies and procedures, developing individual or group goals and objectives, as well as monitoring, operating, evaluating, coordinating, and overseeing the multidisciplinary staff of their assigned BHIP team(s). Provides program management and oversight of interdisciplinary BHIP team(s). Maintains administrative supervisory responsibility of all direct reports and Team Lead responsibility of all other members of their BHIP team(s). Oversees the implementation of BHIP services, including ensuring that appropriate processes/procedures are followed, Veteran care needs are addressed, and Veteran complaints are addressed. Identifies procedural issues related to BHIP treatment and care coordination and works toward process improvement in coordination with the other BHIP Program Coordinators, Program Managers and the Section Chief. Ensures the multidisciplinary staff under their supervision are aware of and adhere to all current directives and handbooks of the Veterans Affairs Administration, meet current applicable Joint Commission standards, state licensure standards, and VA-OIG oversight requirements. Oversees and/or ensures that appropriate processes are identified and followed related to BHIP sub-programs, such as psychological testing and groups. Develops and maintains high-quality team functioning and processes while meeting all Environment of Care and programmatic requirements. Works closely with the Primary Mental Health Section Chief, Mental Health Service leadership, other Mental Health program leadership, and other services through the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. Fosters a cohesive interdisciplinary team environment. Oversees quality control issues and performance measures in collaboration with the Primary Mental Health Section Chief and throughout VA ECHCS. Assists the Section Chief in overseeing compliance with the successful execution of Mental Health Performance Measures, SAIL, workload, VERA capture, Veteran patient satisfaction, and quality assurance. Utilizes the service recovery model with Veteran patients who express dissatisfaction or concerns regarding their mental health care as requested; provides consultation for all mental health clinicians regarding the clinical care of complex cases. Provides overarching supervision, including annual performance ratings, for direct report employees, including Psychologists, Social Workers, and Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors (LPMHC). Provides Team Lead oversight of all members of the BHIP team(s), including non-direct report staff, such as Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Clinical Pharmacists, Nurses, and Peer Support Specialists. Clearly communicates established guidelines and performance expectations for staff through the formal employee performance management system. Develops functional statements and performance standards. Observes workers' performance, demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Identifies training needs of employees and arranges training as appropriate. Works to resolve informal complaints and grievances; develops work improvement plans recommending personnel actions as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-58004-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). 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 interest. In 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 Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: 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 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 4 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/. 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: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-13 Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 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. Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility. Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action. Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations. Preferred Experience: Experience providing evidence-based mental health care in an outpatient/BHIP setting; Supervisory experience. Recent (within the past 3 years) experience working with adults in an outpatient mental health setting. Recent (within the past 5 years) experience providing psychotherapy or therapy in an outpatient mental health setting. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor, as the position requires sitting, standing, and walking. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with high-risk for suicide veteran population and their families. A high level of self-awareness is essential. Work is primarily sedentary. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Requires carrying light items, such as books, files, or laptop computer. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for 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. 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.
