Job Description

Summary

The Finger Lakes Healthcare System has 1 vacancy for an Assistant Chief - Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (DRRTP) in the Bath VA Medical Center. The incumbent has responsibility in sufficient scope to make decisions in the areas of personnel - administration - and space-utilization - budget planning and clinical services of the Domiciliary. The incumbent serves as the administrative and supervisory lead for Domiciliary Assistants and Office Personnel.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part)
• Education: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited
• A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work
• Verification of the degree can be made by going to to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work
• Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• Current state requirements may be found by going to SW Licensure Summary by State
• Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations
• This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level
• For the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certified
• At the time of appointment - the supervisor - chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline
• For appointments at the GS-9 grade level - VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent - master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker
• Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam - and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam
• In states such as California - Washington - and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years - social workers must become licensed at the independent - master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure
• A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record
• Different states have different levels of licensure or certification - making it difficult for VHA staff to determine the independent practice level
• Each state - Puerto Rico - and the District of Columbia completed surveys identifying the level of licensure or certification allowing independent practice
• Copies of the surveys are on file in the VHA Office of Care Management and Social Work Services - and a summary spreadsheet of the levels of licensure or certification is available to social work professional standards board members for purposes of determining whether the social worker's level of licensure or certification meets the VHA qualification standards
• All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB
• Information can be found at
• The ASWB is the association of boards that regulates social work
• ASWB develops and maintains the social work licensing examination used across the country and is a central resource for information on the legal regulation of social work
• The ASWB offers three examinations
• The master's examination is generally used by states for the independent practice level of licensure or certification - while the advanced generalist and the clinical examinations are used for the advanced practice level of licensure or certification
• Differences between the master's and the advanced exams demonstrate the expectation that advanced practice social workers will have a more sophisticated knowledge of practice theory and its application
• Failure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases - social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment
• Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• Loss of Licensure or Certification: Once licensed or certified - social workers must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment
• Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: Supervisory Social Worker - GS-12: Assignments: At the GS-l2 grade - Supervisory Social Workers typically have significant personnel management responsibilities for a small to medium size professional and non-professional staff - including support staff and professional staff at the GS-11 grade level and below
• They are responsible for the professional and administrative management of an area in a social work service - in a care line - or multiple facilities
• They also provide direct clinical services with or without program coordination responsibilities
• Experience - Education and Licensure:
• Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for subordinate staff to qualify for licensure
• Their experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment
• They may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship - or equivalent supervised professional experience
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Ability to independently organize work - set priorities - and meet multiple deadlines
• Knowledge and skill in management/administration - which includes supervision - consultation - negotiation - and monitoring
• Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services by supervised social workers
• Ability to provide administrative supervision and clinical supervision - including supervision for social work licensure
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G39
• Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary - in an office setting - but with some walking - lifting of small boxes of hygiene supplies - but no unusual physical exertion
• Work is performed primarily in a residential living section and administrative/clinical offices or areas
• Incumbent has authority to make decisions affecting Domiciliary Service and serves in the absence of Chief - Domiciliary Service.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: Major duties include but are not limited to: Assists in developing program policies - goals and objectives consistent with the mission of the Domiciliary Program
• This includes identifying areas requiring administrative and professional review - the drafting and monitoring of service goals - and preparing follow-up reports
• Coordinates and directs administrative - program planning - and clinical meetings which ensure effective communication - proper functioning and accountability of the service
• Ensures that appropriate documentation is maintained for programmatic and administrative measures
• Assists in the development and maintenance of the high-quality public relations program for the Domiciliary
• Serves as a representative for the Domiciliary - and for the Chief - as needed
• Investigates - develops and prepares responses to inquiries from members of congressional - VISN - VACO and service organizations in regard to former or current Domiciliary residents or applicants
• Initiates any required or appropriate actions to resolve complaints and problems related to such inquiries
• Assists the Chief in investigating and handling complaints - grievances - and other concerns relevant to the welfare of the service by gathering facts and making preliminary reports
• Has the authority to make decisions and take corrective action when necessary
• Assists in the ongoing development and refinement of the various specialized programs
• Coordinates the development of new programs as deemed necessary
• Coordinates and monitors staffing patterns schedule and coverage including assignments to ensure resident safety
• Utilizes union contract and personnel policies as guidelines
• Maintains primary responsibility for the hiring and training of new employees and orientation of new residents
• Monitors - in conjunction with the clinical staff - the effects of residents' behavior for the general welfare of all residents - applying corrective measures when necessary
• Provides direct line supervision of Domiciliary paraprofessionals and select other professionals assigned to Domiciliary Services
• Responsible for helping to maintain the Domiciliary budget - equipment inventory - purchasing and ordering
• Maintains the Environment of Care - safety and sanitation for all Domiciliary buildings - including coordinating inspection - safety committee and equipment monitoring
• Oversees - under the direction of the Chief - any collaborative research of professional and paraprofessional staff
• Disseminates findings in professional scientific journals - presentations at national and local conventions and professional meetings - book chapters - or administrative reports - as appropriate
• Provides direct - first-line supervision of Domiciliary coverage staff - coordinating schedules and personnel activities including hiring and adverse actions
• Coordinates Domiciliary security and welfare including - but not limited to ordering keys and supplies - issuance of same and keeping inventory - as well as securing contraband - excess baggage - resident locks - personal hygiene supplies
• Coordinates handling and receiving application write-ins for distribution - tracking and responding in timely manner
• Coordinates education and training programs regarding Domiciliary Care and related issues on both national and local levels
• This includes local and national seminars and workshops - consultations with private and governmental agencies - and a national training program within Domiciliary Care to provide in service and applied training to paraprofessionals and professions interested in Domiciliary Care related issues
• Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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