Program Support Assistant

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is assigned to the Chief, Mental Health Care Line, or designee, TVHS, to provide all administrative support to Mental Health Social Work and Recovery Programs. Programs within Recovery Services are Suicide Prevention, the Homeless Program, Compensated Work Therapy, Veterans Recovery Center and Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program.

The incumbent is the Program Support Assistant for the Mental Health Care Line, TVHS, and administratively supports Mental Health Social Work and Recovery Programs across all campuses. The Program Support Assistant is fully authorized to represent the Mental Health Social Work Manager and the Homeless Program Manager in administrative matters based on knowledge of administrative requirements, service organization and needs.

The Program Support Assistant coordinates and directs service matters with other clinical and administrative services within the medical center, between other VA facilities, and with non-VA facilities. The incumbent adds substantially to the efficient operation and - effective management of the service by taking the initiative in identification of needs and potential problems and by developing constructive approaches to the solution of the problems.

Consideration is given to the complexity of the service in that the employees are predominantly professional and technical. Due to the nature of the service and the scope of difficulties which arise, the Program Support Assistant must be. knowledgeable and experienced in the day-to-day workings of the Mental Health Care Line, the Medical Center and the overall VA system.

The Program Support Assistant conducts special analytical studies designed to resolve critical programmatic organizational or functional problems within the Mental Health Social Work and Homeless Services and in the resolution of interdepartmental problems, complaints, and grievances, by applying communicational, motivational, and leadership skills with respect to advising, instructing and consulting with problem elements.

The Program Support Assistant evaluates the overall planning activities of Mental Health Social Work and Homeless Programs in relation to policies, plans and objectives established by the Department of Veterans Affairs, obtaining information upon which evaluations and planning decisions can be based.

Monitors and tracks implementation of program goals and objectives; evaluates established goals and objectives, and formulates, as well as implements policies in the areas of quality assurance and managerial program guidelines.

The Program Support Assistant serves as an extension of the Chief and is responsible for coordinating all the administrative duties for both the Mental Health Social Work and Homeless Services in an effort to guarantee the primary goal of optimally delivering high quality health care to Veterans.

The Program Support Assistant is responsible for proper utilization of resources by conducting surveys and collecting data which will support recommendations concerning space, personnel, equipment, and fiscal matters. The Program Support Assistant is responsible for dealing with patient's complaints and dealing with issues that may arise between the service and other services in the hospital.

The Program Support Assistant is responsible for investigating all incident reports and bringing to the attention of the appropriate chief or program manager, important issues requiring counseling or other action. The Program Support Assistant is responsible for communicating to staff changes as they occur in existing policy and regulations concerning procurement and fiscal matters. Performs other related duties as assigned.

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