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
• (B) Education and/or Experience
• (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) 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
• (C) Certification
• (1) List of certifications
• Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)
• (2) 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
• (e) Failure to Obtain Certification
• In all cases, Health and Wellness Coaches must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of their placement into the occupation
• At the time of appointment, the Human Resources (HR) Office staff in collaboration with the supervisor will provide the uncertified Health and Wellness Coaches with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline
• Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment
• 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: Health and Wellness Coach GS-7 (1) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) 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
• (3) Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve in a Health and Wellness Coach entry-level developmental position
• At the entry grade, Health and Wellness Coaches are responsible for providing basic health coaching by conducting interventions using one-on-one, couple or group modalities in outpatient and inpatient settings using multiple formats (face to- face, telephone, virtual, etc.) in order to reduce or eliminate high-risk behaviors while increasing/promoting a positive lifestyle (habits and behaviors) resulting in increased well-being
• Grade Determinations: Health and Wellness Coach GS-9 (1) Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• (2) 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 (3) Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve as Health and Wellness Coaches at the full performance level
• Health and Wellness Coaches use behavioral change theories (e.g., motivational interview and transtheoretical model) and tools to assist individuals in the process of health coaching
• They provide interventions that promote health and wellness and enhance well-being (i.e., what matters to the individual), improve health related outcomes, reduce likelihood of inpatient admission and improve quality of life across the continuum of care in all settings
• Health and Wellness Coaches foster an environment that equips and empowers each individual to develop and fully engage in a lifestyle management plan
• Health and Wellness Coaches facilitate the development of personalized health plans that emphasize self-care in combination with conventional treatment plans that include individualized intervention strategies to help the client use existing skills and develop new ones to enhance success
• Health and Wellness Coaches provide information on the relationship between lifestyle and health outcomes, exploring behaviors that increase the risk of developing or worsening chronic disease and those that reduce the likelihood of chronic illness
• They are responsible for guiding individuals to learn about available support tools and resources outside of healthcare (e.g., social determinants of health) in the community that assist in attainment of goals
• Health and Wellness Coaches contact eligible participants for enrollment and explain the health coaching process
• They develop and distribute locally approved health education materials based on national guidance to patients and family members that are in line with the patient's personalized health plan
• Health and Wellness Coaches are responsible for conducting outreach activities directly to potential participants and internal and external referral sources informing them of available programs and services
• They coordinate care with patients' treatment providers including primary care, specialty care and mental health to ensure identified goals are aligned with the overall plan of care around what matters most to the individual
• They provide health coaching support to multidisciplinary groups whose purpose is to address specific health and well-being goals or metrics in both the inpatient and outpatient setting
• At this level, Health and Wellness Coaches develop individualized health and wellness group curriculum and/or provide input into curriculum developed by higher-level management
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 9
• The applicant will be selected at 09 grade level
• Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee `Occupational Health Service.