Summary

The Health and Wellness Coach provide services to Veterans seeking self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values. They promote health and enhance well-being, which may support improved health related outcomes, and quality of life. They work with individuals to identify their motivation for change, determine goals for their work together, develop treatment plans to reach these goals, implement those treatment plans and assess progress in order to adjust plans as necessary.

Qualifications

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
• 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
• 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)
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-certified Health and Wellness Coaches may not be extended beyond one year
• 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-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: Knowledge of current research literature related to health and wellness, including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being
• Skill in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one, couple or group modalities
• Skill in exercising effective interpersonal communication techniques to develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships
• Ability to assist the client in developing a comprehensive personalized health plan based on a patient's action-oriented goals
• Ability to identify resources internal and external to the organization that are necessary for achieving patient overall health and well-being goals
• Ability to use information technology (IT) equipment and various/emerging technologies to carry out work responsibilities
• Ability to document patient information using appropriate systems
• Preferred Experience: Certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)
• Minimum of 1- year creditable experience in coaching
• Knowledgeable of current research literature related to health and wellness, including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being
• Skilled in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one, or group modalities
• Ability to identify resources internal and external to the organization that are necessary for achieving patient overall health and well-being goals
• Ability to use information technology (IT), document patient information using appropriate systems, equipment and various/emerging technologies to carry out work responsibilities
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-09
• Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary
• Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
• Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Duties

• Major duties include but are not limited to: Provides health coaching to individuals or groups in outpatient and inpatient settings using multiple formats (face-to-face, telephone, virtual, etc.) to increase/promote a positive lifestyle, habits, and behaviors
• Support Veterans in fostering internal strengths and external resources to develop self-directed strategies for 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 in a Veteran-centered process to facilitate and empower Veterans to develop and achieve self-determining goals related to health and well-being that align with what matters most and their mission, aspiration, or purpose (MAP)
• Utilizes motivational interviewing, coaching theories, and coaching techniques to assist clients in accomplishing their action steps and goals
• Provides education around health and wellness coaching services, evidence, and research
• Utilizes a coaching process model that aligns with NBHWC standards
• Ensures Veterans are informed of what to expect when engaging in coaching
• Connects Veterans with well-being 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, 07:30am to 4:00pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of 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 $416.66
• 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: Ad Hoc Telework only Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 99325S - 99326S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized