Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

The Syracuse VAMC is recruiting for a Harm Reduction Coordinator (HRC) Social Worker for the Substance Treatment Services (STS) Team.

The (HRC) Social Worker is responsible for providing leadership, direction, organization, planning, implementation, and evaluation of harm reduction efforts at the Syracuse VAMC, including but not limited to overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND), syringe services program (SSP), and fentanyl test strip distribution initiatives.

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 : 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 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).

Grade Determinations : GS-12 Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

Candidate 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.

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs : (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.

b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and / or practice guidelines for the program. (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.

d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). (e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

References : VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G-39 Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 "VA Careers - Social Work : Social Work : Major Duties : Develops, implements, expands, and evaluates outcomes of harm reduction initiatives with a primary focus on Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND), Sterile Syringe Programs (SSP) and Fentanyl test strip distribution system.

Identify vendors and sources to obtain harm reduction supplies, harm reduction opportunities, and community harm reduction organizations for possible Veteran referrals and collaboration.

Ensures linkages to treatment for Veterans who receive harm reduction services at any VA or community partner location. Consult with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) District Counsel to determine if any SSP services / supplies are legally prohibited.

Partner, collaborate, and consult with key facility service programs such as the HUD-VASH, Infectious Disease Clinic, Addiction Recovery Treatment Services, Mental Health Service, Pharmacy Service, Nursing Service, and Logistics Service in the development and expansion of harm reduction services.

Participate in all relevant local, regional, and national workgroups. Identify and act on opportunities to educate and advocate for program changes throughout the VAMC to enhance harm reduction services for Veterans.

Direct patient care includes, but is not limited to provision of or referral for harm reduction education and supplies available as a prescription and via non-prescription sources.

Referral for proper screening, testing, and treatment for drug-related infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs);

Outreach to Veterans about HIV PrEP; Substance use disorder (SUD) screening and referrals for MAT as appropriate. Provision of harm reduction group programming in relevant clinics that may include education, MI, CBT and any other EBPs with evidence for assisting in reducing SUD related harm in high-risk Veterans.

Indirect patient care includes but is not limited to : Identifying patients who may benefit from programming focused on harm reduction through population health management reports and team huddles and conducting electronic consult (e-consult) medical record reviews and communicating recommendations to the care team.

Collaborating with the national VA HIV / SSP Affinity Group to develop new SSP resources, including veteran and staff education resources, standardized harm reduction kits, and a standardized note template.

Work with local colleagues to improve sexual and drug use history taking and linkage to appropriate harm reduction services.

• Actively participates on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor, SUD Chief and / or SUD Program Lead;
• Keep their supervisor apprised of problems and recommended solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility;

Ensure professional growth through continuing education by complying with licensure requirements and continuing education as appropriate to the area of assignment.

May provide orientation and mentoring of newly hired social workers. May serve as a field instructor for social work students.

May participate in the rotation of on-call social workers, including modification of tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs during off tour hours.

May be involved in responding to VISN level action plans, attending VISN meetings and presenting education or updates regarding harm reduction efforts to facility and VISN leadership.

Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule : M-F 8 : 00 am - 4 : 30 pm Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 # : 0000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"