Health and Wellness Coach

The Health and Wellness Coach provides services to Veterans seeking self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values. They work with individuals on identifying their motivation for change, determining goals for their work together, developing sustainable action steps toward achieving their short and long-term goals, implementing action plans, and assessing 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.

Language:

Health and Wellness Coach candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f) Experience and/or

Education:

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 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. 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 or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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. Loss of Credential. Management officials, in collaboration with HR office staff, must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required certification of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation, which may also result in separation from employment. Grandfathering Provision•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). See Additional Information section below for more information regarding this provision. GS7

Grade Determinations :

Experience/Education•None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)•In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following

KSAs:

Knowledge of health and wellness coaching processes and techniques. Ability to promote positive lifestyle choices. Ability to effectively communicate in writing through a variety of modalities. Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally. GS9

Grade Determinations:

Experience•One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS7). GS7 Duties 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. Employees at this grade are closely supervised and competency in progressively complex tasks is monitored by the supervisor. Health and Wellness Coaches facilitate development of personalized health plans focused on behavioral interventions based on current scientific knowledge and research. Health and Wellness Coaches equip and empower individuals to live their lives to the fullest by improving quality of life across the lifespan that reduces risk for chronic disease, reverses or slows progression of chronic disease and increases the sense of well-being at the end of life. These plans include person-centered customized goals, action steps and interventions developed by the individual and include input from other members of the health care team. Health and Wellness Coaches must communicate proactively and effectively both orally and in writing. 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.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ . The full performance level of this vacancy is GS9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS7 to GS9.

Physical Requirements:

The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.