Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration • Spokane, WA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Social Worker (Program Coordinator) coordinates the daily operations of Purchased Care Services (PCS) programs and provides social work services to Veterans and their families. The position reviews consults for program eligibility, assesses care and service needs, processes consults, initiates Standard Episodes of Care, coordinates authorizations, and completes reauthorizations and reassessments. It works with the Office of Veteran Community Care, community providers, and VA staff to support timely service delivery, address billing issues, and maintain community partnerships. The coordinator also recruits community providers and assists with establishing contracts for home health, home health aide, respite care, and related services.

The role monitors program performance, develops quality indicators, evaluates service delivery, and implements quality improvement initiatives. It educates staff on PCS eligibility, program requirements, and policy updates; participates in committees and service initiatives; and may provide supervision, training, orientation, or mentorship to social work interns and less experienced social workers. The coordinator may also be responsible for program policies and procedures, reports and statistics, program audits, and evaluation of clinical program data.

Clinical duties include conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments of Veterans and families, evaluating clinical, social, and environmental factors, developing individualized treatment plans with the interdisciplinary care team, monitoring progress, and adjusting care plans. The social worker provides supportive counseling for issues including chronic illness, disability, catastrophic illness, end-of-life concerns, grief, and loss, and helps patients and families access resources. The position documents interventions in medical records, coordinates care transitions, and reports suspected abuse as required.

The position requires regular travel within the Mann-Grandstaff catchment area using a personal or government vehicle, with occasional trips requiring up to three hours of travel each way. It includes participation in urgent care on-call rotations, including weekend coverage, as assigned. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position is not virtual; ad hoc telework is available.

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.
• Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's level, with a full, valid, and unrestricted license or certification maintained throughout employment.
• For program coordinator assignment, advanced practice licensure or certification and ability to provide supervision for licensure.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
• Knowledge of program coordination and administration, including consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
• Knowledge and ability to write program policies, procedures, or practice guidelines.
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program areas.
• Ability to provide clinical-practice training, orientation, and guidance.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Current, valid driver's license and clearance to drive.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation; comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination requirement.
• Meet application and onboarding requirements, including the required trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Specialized experience in geriatrics and program coordination is preferred.
• 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

• Coordinate daily operations of Purchased Care Services programs and ensure compliance with VA policies and procedures.
• Review consults to determine Veteran eligibility for Purchased Care Services programs and services.
• Assess care levels and service needs; process consults, initiate Standard Episodes of Care, and coordinate authorizations.
• Collaborate with the Office of Veteran Community Care, community providers, and VA staff to ensure timely service delivery.
• Complete reauthorizations and reassessments to maintain appropriate care and support for Veterans.
• Monitor program performance, develop and track quality indicators, and implement and evaluate quality improvement initiatives.
• Recruit community service providers and assist in establishing contracts for home health, home health aide, respite care, and related services.
• Educate staff about program eligibility criteria, requirements, and policy updates; coordinate with the Office of Veteran Community Care regarding billing and invoicing issues.
• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments of Veterans and their families, evaluating clinical, social, and environmental factors.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with the interdisciplinary care team, monitor patient progress, and modify care plans as needed.
• Provide supportive counseling to Veterans and caregivers dealing with chronic illness, disability, catastrophic illness, end-of-life issues, grief, and loss.
• Help patients and families access appropriate resources and services; maintain effective relationships with Veterans, caregivers, families, and community agencies.
• Document social work interventions, assessments, and activities in patient medical records and ensure appropriate care coordination during transitions.
• Report suspected child, adult, or elder abuse in accordance with applicable law and policy.
• Participate in committees, discipline-specific meetings, and service initiatives.
• Provide supervision, training, orientation, or mentorship to social work interns and less experienced social workers.
• Travel regularly within the Mann-Grandstaff catchment area to VA sites, community partners, and other care locations; drive a personal or government vehicle as needed.
• Participate in urgent care on-call rotations, including weekend coverage, as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student loan reimbursement, subject to individual eligibility and program approval, with an award of 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 for higher or unique qualifications or VA special 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.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• 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 for eligible full-time employees and qualifying families, subject to income and other eligibility conditions.
• 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