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The position of Medical Foster Home (MFH) Program Coordinator is located within the Geriatric Extended Care (GEC) Service Line at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System (VA CWM HCS), which includes the Leeds campus and all other 5 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Worcester, Springfield, Fitchburg, Greenfield, and Pittsfield. 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/. 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). Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 (1) 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. (2) 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. 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: Travel may be required to fill patient needs across the Central Western Mass footprint. Hybrid telework may be available at the supervisor's discretion. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120, PART II, APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. ["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. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to: The Medical Foster Home (MFH) Program Coordinator is a senior social worker who is capable of practicing at the advanced level and has specialized knowledge of practice typically related to dementias, complex medical illness, chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injuries and care for the older adult and caregiver. Incumbent should have at least 2 years' experience in an area of specialized social work practice and licensed or hold certification in a state at the independent practice level. The incumbent is responsible for maximizing psychosocial quality of life issues in order to assist veterans to remain in their home or in a less restrictive level of care other than a nursing home and avoid hospitalization as often as possible. The incumbent serves veterans who tend to have serious, frequent, and severe crises, lack family or an adequate community support networks, have poor self-monitoring and advocacy skills; inability to understand and follow instructions and treatments; have significant deficits in coping skills and require continuing psychosocial and medical support. Incumbent serves as the Program Coordinator for the community care programs and is administratively responsible for the Medical Foster Home Program. The Coordinator manages the daily operation of the program, provides direct Veteran-centric services in the program area, and performs other related duties as assigned. Responsibilities include the daily operation of the program, developing policies and procedures for program operation and preparing reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. The incumbent manages and controls the use of data related to these programs regarding day-to-day functioning and program evaluation. The incumbent oversees the community care home program development, recruitment, and development of the Medical Foster Homes, recruitment and admission of veteran residents, case management, development of policies and care processes, and coordination with HBPC interdisciplinary treatment teams. Incumbent will provide the patient and/or caregivers and family members with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to mitigate the psychosocial impact of coping with chronic/disabling illnesses, onset of a catastrophic illness and or dying; need for non-institutional or institutional services as needed during the patient's enrollment in MFH. Marketing the model of care and reaches out to community groups and agencies to promote the foster care program. Works closely with VHA Public Affairs Office to market the program internally and externally. Incumbent serves as a mentor to other VA MFH program coordinators, social workers, and other interested health care providers. Utilizes National Directive, application forms, and inspection tools to screen and assess Caregiver applicants wishing to become a MFH Caregiver which includes approving and disapproving MFH Caregivers in coordination with the approving official. Providing oversight during monthly unannounced visits to the MFH and addressing concerns of Veterans and caregivers that supports the MFH model of care. Establish intake processes and oversight responsibilities and maintains a record-keeping system for the program. Providing training to caregivers, students, residents, interns, and fellows from other disciplines regarding the advantages and disadvantages of a medical foster home. The work may require assisting physically disabled veterans. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects, such as medical records. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common of the client population. Work is also performed outside the medical center campus, where the environment cannot be controlled. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Maybe available. Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 631-F05667 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Amy Haley, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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