Social Worker - Program Coordinator

Veterans Health Administration • Eugene, OR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker, Program Coordinator, manages the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) in Roseburg, Oregon. The role carries broad program-management responsibility and wide latitude for independent judgment, with decisions affecting APU staff and resources. The coordinator provides strategic planning and develops and implements short- and long-term goals aligned with the program’s strategic plan to deliver high-quality services to Veterans. The role oversees administrative and programmatic resources, allocates resources in support of program needs, and uses data-driven quality assurance to monitor outcomes and implement improvements.

The coordinator has responsibility for the operation and service delivery of a major specialty treatment program, including resource and fiscal management, policy and procedure development, program evaluations, audits, and reporting. The position provides leadership and consultation to APU staff and other units, serves as a liaison and subject-matter expert, and represents the Medical Center in professional, community, and VA forums. The position also consults with medical center staff and trainees regarding patients’ psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional holiday work as needed. Telework and virtual work are not available. The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; reimbursement may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance 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.
• Maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification; program coordinators must hold advanced-practice licensure or certification and be able 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 increasing professional competency.
• Demonstrated skill coordinating and implementing one or more specialty programs across a facility.
• Demonstrated skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
• Demonstrated skill organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program areas.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to advance program goals and patient-centered care.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, selecting and training staff, and recommending awards, advancements, and disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Ability to oversee fiscal matters, including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures; forecast resource and equipment needs; and administer the allocated budget.
• Knowledge of organizational structure and its impact on program operations.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Satisfy background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process and required pre-employment identification requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Veterans in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
• Leadership or supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with psychiatric emergency services.
• Certification or other post-master’s 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 strategic planning for the Acute Psychiatric Unit and develop and implement short- and long-term goals and objectives consistent with the program’s strategic plan.
• Oversee administrative and programmatic resources and allocate them in support of program needs.
• Develop and implement programs, monitor outcomes through data-driven quality assurance processes, and implement improvements based on data analysis.
• Exercise line and staff authority for resource allocations within the Acute Psychiatric Treatment Program and ensure efficient operation of the organizational unit.
• Supervise Acute Psychiatric Treatment Program staff and provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, training, staff development, and continuing education.
• Serve as a liaison between the APU and individuals seeking treatment and as a subject-matter expert for the APU; consult with leadership on issues affecting APU staff and services.
• Establish program monitors and outcome measurements and complete required program evaluations and documentation for the Medical Center or healthcare system, VISN, and VACO.
• Ensure compliance with appropriate accrediting bodies and monitoring entities, as applicable.
• Serve on Medical Center, healthcare system, VISN, and/or national VA committees or task forces; participate in leadership roles in professional organizations and represent the Medical Center at professional and community events.
• Consult with medical center staff and trainees on patients’ psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments, budgets, treatment services, and program admission criteria.
• Manage program resources and fiscal matters, monitor control points, develop and operate within the annual budget, and account for appropriated funds.
• Develop policies and procedures for program operation and prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use.
• Initiate and conduct program or service audits and complete designated clinical practice audits and productivity reports.
• Evaluate program operations, identify areas for improvement, gather and assess data, implement improvement ideas, and evaluate their effectiveness.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and approval, with an award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment for eligible full-time employees with qualifying family income and eligible children.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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