Social Worker - Program Coordinator - Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center (PACC)

Veterans Health Administration • Tacoma, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker Program Coordinator is assigned to the Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center (PACC) at the American Lake Division of VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Tacoma, Washington. The position provides direct services to Veterans, their families, and caregivers and has administrative and supervisory oversight of PACC.

PACC provides urgent and walk-in mental health services to Veterans experiencing acute psychiatric conditions that interfere with daily functioning. Staff triage, evaluate, and manage Veterans with a range of conditions, including depressive, bipolar, psychotic, trauma-related, and anxiety disorders; dementia with behavioral disturbances; delirium; dual diagnoses; and imminent risk of harm to themselves or others. PACC also provides follow-up medication management in a less restrictive setting through its Intensive Outpatient Program for Veterans in crisis who do not need high-intensity inpatient psychiatry. It serves as an entry point for new Veterans seeking mental health treatment and provides assessment and care coordination.

The coordinator supervises an interdisciplinary group that includes psychologists, advanced registered nurse practitioners, social workers, registered nurses, and certified nursing assistants. The role includes administrative, technical, and clinical supervision and development of standard operating procedures that establish staff guidelines and facility expectations. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc only; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master's degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's level.
• Advanced practice-level licensure or certification and ability to provide supervision for licensure.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
• Demonstrated skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty programs across a facility.
• Demonstrated skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and practice guidelines.
• Demonstrated skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program areas.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient-centered care.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including work assignment, performance evaluations, staff selection and training, and recommendations concerning awards, advancements, and discipline.
• Ability to oversee fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer an allocated budget.
• Knowledge of organizational structure and its impact on program operations.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must pass a background/security investigation and pre-employment medical evaluation and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete the required application and onboarding processes and provide acceptable identification.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience within mental health.
• Certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum or course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
• Oversee the administration and supervision of the Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center (PACC).
• Supervise interdisciplinary employees, including psychologists, advanced registered nurse practitioners, social workers, registered nurses, and certified nursing assistants.
• Provide administrative, technical, and clinical supervision.
• Develop standard operating procedures that provide clear staff guidelines and facility expectations.
• Coordinate and implement specialty programs across the facility.
• Develop local policies, procedures, and practice guidelines for the program.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet deadlines, and evaluate assigned program areas.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to advance program goals and patient-centered care.
• Perform supervisory duties, including assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, selecting and training staff, recommending awards and advancements, and recommending disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Oversee fiscal matters, including fund controls, contracts, equipment expenditures, forecasting resource and equipment needs, and administering the allocated budget.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to the employee and family; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior