Health and Wellness Coach

About the role

The 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. 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: (A) United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. 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). 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). 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 mo

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