Summary The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center located in Wilkes-Barre, PA is currently recruiting for a Social Services Assistant. The Social Services Assistant provides an array of services to the Veteran population in the Community Living Center (CLC) and will work directly with the Community Living Center Social Worker. The Social Services Assistant will be under the direct supervision of the Medical Social Work Supervisor. Responsibilities The Social Services Assistant is responsible for working independently to identify the needs of the Community Living Center (CLC) residents and providing assistance that is specific to the circumstance. He/she will make rounds on the units engaging with the residents and assisting them with any issues/concerns they may have. The incumbent will often confer with the CLC Social Worker and other members of the treatment team. Meets with CLC residents conducting needs assessments, including helping residents to develop health management plans and goals in conjunction with their treatment team. Informs supervisor and the CLC Social Worker of problems and relevant issues affecting the CLC residents, providing input and recommendations to resolve problems and support development of the Community Living Center's short and long-range goals. Responsible for having specific knowledge of the Veterans' needs, overall treatment plan and is responsible for ensuring progress is being made by the Veteran toward achieving his/her goals. Assists CLC residents with completion of VA Advanced Directives & Health Care Power of Attorney. Reviews documents for accuracy. Sends documents to be scanned into the electronic medical record. Accepts POA documents form next of kin. Maintains computer-generated files as needed. Answers phone calls from Veterans, next of kin to provide assistance as needed. May assist with scheduling, rescheduling and cancelling next of kin visitation for CLC residents. Provides information to families, friends, relatives and significant others of the Veterans, within the limitations of the Privacy Act and the Veteran's consent. Displays courteous and respectful behavior to all Community Living Center residents, staff and next of kin. Maintains appropriate rapport with internal and external customers to facilitate the accomplishment of the medical center goals and mission. May assist to effectively solve problems before they have an adverse impact on the organization or other employees. Incorporates the VA Core Values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence in all interactions. Possesses the communication skills necessary to function as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Will make rounds on the units, conversing with the residents to provide emotional support and assistance as needed. Maintain detailed and accurate records, including computer-generated files, by editing sensitive and non-sensitive data, extracting and printing electronic information related to patient accountability, treatment regimen and administrative issues which include, but are not limited to Veteran treatment plans. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Social Services Assistant/02627-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/08/2024. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Communicates information about community based resources aimed at assisting caregivers with accessing needed services and benefits; Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills by effectively listening, empathizing and speaking with the customer to cultivate a rapport and trustworthy relationship; Identifies high risk or complex situations and refers appropriately to a CSL social worker, Caregiver Support Coordinator, Veteran's Crisis Line, Homeless Veterans call center or others, as appropriate. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Counselor in a youth summer camp. Instructor in a training program for the development of job skills. Work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew. Group activities leader in the Armed Services. Unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility. Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development. Aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities. Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs. Group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that a) included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects directly related to the work of the position; (b) included a major in social behavior, human behavior, or health care or; (c) was supplemented by specialized experience as described above for GS-4. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. (Transcripts Required)This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. (Transcripts Required) OR, Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. (Transcripts Required) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Problem Solving Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work of this position requires on-site observation and involves walking, standing, bending, stooping, and carrying of light items. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.