Social Worker (Program Manager) - Outpatient Mental Health Section

Veterans Health Administration • Tacoma, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker (Program Manager) serves as Director of Outpatient Mental Health at the American Lake Division of VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Tacoma, Washington. The position manages the administrative and clinical aspects of the Outpatient Mental Health Section and provides direct services to Veterans, their families, and caregivers. The section includes six clinical programs offering integrated mental health treatment and services to Veterans with a broad range of mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders. The Director coordinates care across acute and inpatient mental health, residential care, primary care mental health integration, and outpatient services.

Clinical work includes comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments and diagnostic services; evidence-based individual, family, or group psychotherapy and psychoeducation as appropriate; consultation with health care providers to coordinate integrated treatment; development and documentation of treatment plans for an assigned caseload; and coordination of community-based services and referrals.

The Program Manager develops, plans, administers, and manages section and service-line priorities and objectives, and supervises subordinate staff. The role leads strategic planning, establishes goals and policies, manages administrative and programmatic resources, monitors outcomes through data-driven quality assurance, reviews performance and compliance with standards, develops and tracks initiatives, manages personnel functions, assigns work and performance expectations, and addresses complaints and grievances.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and able to provide supervision for licensure.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to GS-13, demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Skill in large-scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites, including consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
• Ability to translate management goals and objectives into coordinated and controlled work operations.
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient-centered care.
• Ability to perform supervisory duties, including work assignment, performance evaluations, staff selection and training, recommendations for awards and advancement, and disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Ability to oversee fiscal matters, including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures; forecast resource and equipment needs; and administer an allocated budget.
• Skill in developing program policies, procedures, or practice guidelines and participating in national program development.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must meet all position requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct social work services to Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
• Manage the administrative and clinical aspects of the Outpatient Mental Health Section.
• Coordinate care among acute and inpatient mental health, residential care, primary care mental health integration, and outpatient services.
• Conduct comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments and diagnostic services.
• Provide evidence-based psychotherapy and psychoeducation, including individual, family, or group interventions as appropriate.
• Consult with health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plans to support coordinated, collaborative, integrated care.
• Develop, implement, and document mental health treatment plans for an assigned caseload, as appropriate.
• Coordinate community-based services and referrals to VA programs, government programs, and community agencies.
• Develop, plan, administer, and manage Outpatient Mental Health Section and Mental Health Service Line priorities and objectives.
• Supervise subordinate staff and ensure their supervision and evaluation.
• Lead strategic planning, establish short- and long-range goals, and develop policies and procedures to support goal attainment.
• Manage administrative and programmatic resources and monitor outcomes through data-driven quality assurance processes.
• Conduct reviews and appraisals to assess progress toward objectives and adherence to governing-body standards.
• Develop, enhance, and track initiatives; monitor staff effectiveness and modify initiatives to meet program needs.
• Perform administrative and personnel management functions, including developing improvement plans as needed.
• Assign work, establish staff guidelines and performance expectations, and communicate through the employee performance management system.
• Resolve informal complaints and grievances and develop complaint-handling processes and procedures.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a 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: Manager