Social Worker Program Coordinator (120 Day Detail)- Inpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration•Battle Creek, MI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This 120-day developmental detail provides an opportunity to gain leadership experience administering and overseeing a complex inpatient mental health program. The selected employee will build skills in program management, staff supervision, quality improvement, strategic planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration while supporting high-quality, Veteran-centered, recovery-oriented care for Veterans receiving inpatient mental health services. The incumbent provides administrative and operational oversight for inpatient mental health services within a 45-bed program. The role includes ensuring compliance with VA and accreditation standards; overseeing admissions, discharges, and transitions of care; monitoring program performance and outcomes; leading and supervising a multidisciplinary team; supporting workforce planning and staff development; managing resources and operational needs; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders; and leading quality improvement initiatives. The incumbent may also provide clinical consultation, assessment, and therapeutic interventions, support training for social work and interdisciplinary trainees, and participate in program development to strengthen service delivery, transitions of care, and Veteran satisfaction. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nights and weekend availability may be required in emergent situations. The work takes place predominantly on a nursing unit and in various clinic or hospital areas, with possible minimal community travel to meet with community agencies and partners. The role involves working with acutely and chronically physically and mentally ill patients and regular exposure to infection and contagious diseases; infection-control precautions and personal protective equipment may be required. Physical demands include standing, walking, bending, moving freely, and using good body mechanics when lifting or restraining patients.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree may not substitute for the master's degree.
State license or certification to independently practice social work at the master's level, with advanced-practice-level licensure or certification and the ability to provide licensure supervision.
One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
Experience coordinating and implementing one or more specialty programs across a facility.
Skill in developing local policies, procedures, and practice guidelines for a program in accordance with applicable handbooks or directives.
Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating program areas.
Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to advance program goals and patient-centered care.
Ability to perform supervisory duties, including assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, selecting and training staff, and recommending awards, advancements, or disciplinary action as appropriate.
Ability to oversee fiscal matters, including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures; forecast resource and equipment needs; and administer an allocated budget.
Knowledge of organizational structure and its impact on program operations.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely; use good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients; and meet the role's hearing, eyesight, and dexterity requirements.
Ability to work with acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, including circumstances involving negative verbal or physical activity, and to follow infection-control precautions.
Willingness to meet the schedule and availability requirements, including possible nights and weekends for emergent situations.
Compliance with applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, onboarding, and required identification documentation.
Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and operational oversight for inpatient mental health services in a 45-bed program.
Ensure compliance with VA and accreditation standards and applicable program policies and procedures.
Oversee admissions, discharges, and transitions of care.
Monitor program performance and outcomes and analyze clinical program data to identify trends and needs.
Provide leadership and supervision for a multidisciplinary team, including work assignments, performance evaluations, staff selection, training, and recommendations related to awards, advancement, or discipline.
Support workforce planning, staff development, and training activities for social work and interdisciplinary trainees.
Manage resources and operational needs, oversee fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
Lead quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives to enhance patient care and program effectiveness.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and community partners to further program goals and support patient-centered care.
Promote high-quality, recovery-oriented, Veteran-centered services and Veteran satisfaction.
As needed, provide clinical consultation, assessment, and therapeutic interventions.
Participate in program development efforts to strengthen service delivery and transitions of care.