Job Description
Summary
Health and Wellness Coaches provide services to Veterans seeking self-directed - lasting changes aligned with their values. They provide support that promotes health and enhances well-being - which may support improved health related outcomes - and quality of life. Pay Scale GS-7: $50 -460-$65 -599 GS-9 $61 -722-$80 -243
Qualifications
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
- English Language Proficiency: Health and Wellness Coach candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
- Education and/or Experience: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position
- OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field
- OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field
- Certification: Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)
- Exception for Non-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches: (a) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification - may be given a temporary appointment as Health and Wellness Coach under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)
- (b) Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Health and Wellness Coach at or above the full performance level or other designated occupation with the appropriate training and expertise
- (c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted until certification is obtained
- (d) Temporary appointments of non-certified Health and Wellness Coaches may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
- Grade Determinations: Health and Wellness Coach - GS-07 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
- Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of health and wellness coaching processes and techniques
- (b) Ability to promote positive lifestyle choices
- (c) Ability to effectively communicate in writing through a variety of modalities
- (d) Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally
- Health and Wellness Coach - GS-09 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
- Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of current research literature related to health and wellness - including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being
- (b) Skill in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one - couple or group modalities
- (c) Skill in exercising effective interpersonal communication techniques to develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships
- (d) Ability to assist the client in developing a comprehensive personalized health plan based on a patient's action-oriented goals
- (e) Ability to identify resources internal and external to the organization that are necessary for achieving patient overall health and well-being goals
- (f) Ability to use information technology (IT) equipment and various/emerging technologies to carry out work responsibilities
- (g) Ability to document patient information using appropriate systems
- Preferred Experience: Certificate of completion from a NBHWC from an accredited program
- Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
- The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
- The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09
- Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.
Duties
- Major duties include but not limited to: Provides health coaching to individuals or groups in outpatient and inpatient settings using multiple formats (face-to-face - telephone - virtual - etc.) in order to increase/promote a positive lifestyle (habits and behaviors)
- Support Veterans in fostering internal strengths and external resources to develop self-directed strategies for making personalized - sustainable - healthy lifestyle behavior changes and more effectively manage chronic disease
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary clinical and non-clinical staff and teams throughout the VA health care system on a Veteran-centered process to facilitate and empower Veterans to develop and achieve self-determining goals related to health and well-being and that align with what matters most or their mission - aspiration - or purpose
- Utilizes motivational interviewing - coaching theories - and coaching techniques to assist clients in accomplishing their action steps and goals
- Within the coaching process - addresses appropriate social and structural determinants of health
- Provides education around health and wellness coaching services - evidence - and research
- Follow national Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation guidance and VHA policy relevant to health and wellness coaching
- Utilizes a coaching process model that aligns with NBHWC standards
- Ensures Veterans are aware of what to expect when engaging in coaching
- Connects Veterans with wellbeing services when they are in service of the Veteran's self-identified wellness goals
- Documents coaching encounters in alignment with local and national guidance
- Work Schedule: Monday- Friday
- 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Functional Statement #: GS-07 00071F/GS-9 00072F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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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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Job Tags
Permanent employment, Temporary work, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Relocation package, Monday to Friday