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

Veterans Health Administration•Tacoma, WA

3d•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 day-to-day functioning. Staff triage, evaluate, and manage Veterans seeking care for a range of conditions, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, PTSD, anxiety disorders, dementia with behavioral disturbances, delirium, dual diagnoses, and imminent risk of harm to self 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 require 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 position provides administrative, technical, and clinical supervision, including developing standard operating procedures and facility expectations for staff. The 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.

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 degree level.
Advanced-practice-level social work licensure or certification and ability to provide supervision for licensure.
At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Skill in coordinating and implementing specialty programs across a facility.
Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and practice guidelines.
Ability to organize work, prioritize, meet multiple deadlines, and evaluate program areas.
Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and patient-centered care.
Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including work assignments, 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, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Must complete a background/security investigation, pre-employment medical evaluation, required onboarding and application steps, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
Must meet qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.

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, including 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 Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center administratively and in a supervisory capacity.
Supervise an interdisciplinary team that includes psychologists, advanced registered nurse practitioners, social workers, registered nurses, and certified nursing assistants.
Provide administrative, technical, and clinical supervision.
Develop standard operating procedures that establish clear guidelines and facility expectations for staff.
Coordinate and implement one or more specialty programs across the facility.
Develop local policies, practices, procedures, and practice guidelines for the program.
Organize work, set priorities, meet multiple 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, and equipment expenditures; forecast resource and equipment needs; and administer the allocated budget.
Provide assessment and care coordination for Veterans who are new to mental health services.