Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - Workplace Violence Prevention Program

The Workplace Violence Prevention Program Manager (hereafter referred to as the Program Manager) is responsible for the administrative and clinical aspects of a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) at the Albany VA Medical Center, including the Disruptive Behavior Committee (DBC), Employee Threat Assessment Team (ETAT), and the Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) Program.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements : United States Citizenship : Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education : Possess 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. For grades below or at the full performance 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 3 years of their appointment as a social worker.

Licensure : Possess a full and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.

English Language Proficiency : Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

GS-13 Grade Determination : Experience / Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

Candidates 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.

AND Licensure / Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.

Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility. Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and / or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive.

Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.

Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations;

and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action.

Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.

Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations. References : VA Handbook 5005 / 120 Part II, Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is G-13.

Physical Requirements : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 "VA Careers - Social Work : Social Work : Writing policies, procedures, and program guidelines for the development, planning, operations, and continuous performance improvement of all components of the WVPP.

The Program Manager is expected to adhere to service standards regarding matters of timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with procedures and quantity of work produced.

The Program Manager is responsible for administration of funds within the approved budget, projecting future needs, and following reporting requirements for dispersed funds.

Providing quarterly reports to Executive Leadership and the Health Systems Committee, extracting and analyzing data regarding incident reporting and response, employee education, and compliance with VISN, VA OIG, and VHA reporting requirements.

Tracking WVPP member completion of all mandatory trainings, attendance on monthly national calls, and monthly committee / team meetings.

Overseeing the ETAT review of employee-generated Disruptive Behaviors, determining whether a full investigation is indicated and if so, working closely with the ETAT Chair and VA Police to assemble all available information regarding any alleged disruptive or threatening employee behavior;

determining whether the reported disruptive behavior(s) pose an immediate safety threat to individuals and / or the workplace and taking any necessary actions to protect targeted staff.

Working closely with the ETAT including representatives from local bargaining units, Human Resources, VA Police, the Safety Office, and Attorney's from the Office of General Counsel, the Program Manager provides a completed report to the Medical Center Director, making risk mitigation recommendations to manage the safety threat posed by the reported behavior(s).

The Program Manager works closely with the Chair and co-Chair of the DBC as well as VA Police to review incidents, determine actions based on frequency and severity, and taking progressive actions to encourage mitigation and cessation of disruptive threatening and violent behaviors.

The Program Manager and DBC Chair report regularly to the Chief of Staff and consult as needed to discuss cases requiring implementation of an Order of Behavioral Restriction (OBR), and / or placement of a Behavioral Flag.

Assures initial BERT training and refresher training completion for all active members. Reviews BERT incidents with VA Police and DBC Chair / co-chair and assures post incident debriefings are conducted with affected staff.

The incumbent works collaboratively with the PMDB Coordinator and may assist in staff education and identifying resources that can directly address individual needs to help improve the quality of patient care and reduce overall risk.

Addresses training needs to assure completion of required training levels as informed by completion of the WBRA. Facility administrator for the Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS).

Maintaining proficiency in current evidence-based behavioral threat assessment and management practice and overseeing the day-to-day business of DBC and ETAT reviews of Patient-Generated disruptive behaviors, visitor-generated disruptive behaviors, and employee towards employee disruptive behaviors.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 8 : 00am-4 : 30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not authorized Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework : Not available Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : PD49676F Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"