Senior Social Worker-Suicide Prevention Coordinator

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – the award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after a complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications Citizenship: All applicants must be U.S. citizens. Non‑citizens may be appointed only when no qualified U.S. citizen candidate exists. Education: Requires a master’s degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Degree must meet CSWE accreditation standards; candidacy‑status schools do not satisfy the requirement until full accreditation. A doctoral degree does not substitute for the master’s degree. Licensure: Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s‑degree level. Physical and emotional requirements: Work is generally sedentary but may require sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, carrying light items and using a computer. Emotional demands can be stressful; self‑awareness is essential. English language proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English per 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Grade determination (GS‑12 Senior Social Worker): At least two years of experience after advanced practice licensure, with at least one year at the GS‑11 level. Advanced practice skills and judgment, advanced clinical licensure, and capability to supervise licensure. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) including: Expertise in specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty programs or with special patient populations. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment. Knowledge of developing and implementing outcome evaluation methods. Ability to provide specialized consultation and role‑model best practices. Ability to expand clinical knowledge, write policies, procedures, and practice guidelines. Assignments: Must perform higher‑level duties involving significant scope and complexity at least 25% of the time, including clinical program development, collaboration with treatment teams, leadership and training, and supervision of licensure. Duties Maintain a caseload of high‑risk veterans, providing case management and enhanced care. Respond to crisis callers and coordinate with clinicians regarding veterans at immediate risk. Participate in daily interdisciplinary meetings with the Suicide Prevention Team and weekly meetings to review consults for veterans identified as high risk for suicide; provide outreach up to 90 days on an as‑needed basis. Develop plans of care to link high‑risk veterans to mental‑health access clinics or specialty clinics. Serve as subject‑matter expert in Root Cause Analysis Teams and senior leadership teams. Participate in monthly National Suicide Prevention Center calls. Complete behavioral autopsy reports following a suicide. Monitor veteran records to ensure appointment compliance. Ensure all high‑risk veterans and staff have access to the 24‑hour Veteran Crisis Line (988). Collaborate with community resources such as Veteran Service Organizations and Vet Centers to educate on risk factors and facilitate assistance for high‑risk veterans. Assess and evaluate veteran suicide risk factors and symptom severity, determining level of care and interventions—face‑to‑face, by phone, or through record reviews. Develop ongoing education plans for mental‑health service lines, facility healthcare providers, veterans, families, and community members on suicide risk factors, warning signs, and treatment options. Provide expertise and consultation on suicide prevention to inpatient and outpatient providers. Participate in team meetings as needed. Provide education and training throughout the facility. Attend suicide prevention outreach events, providing education and materials to community partners and agencies. Participate in monthly meetings with VISN‑wide Patient Safety and SPCs. Perform other duties as assigned. Supervise licensure supervision for advanced practice social workers. Benefits and Compensation Competitive salary with regular increases. Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Parental leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster placement. Child care subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with household income below $144,000 may be eligible for up to 25% of eligible child‑care costs, capped monthly at $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and 401(k) with up to 5% employer contributions. Health insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care plans. Telework: Ad‑hoc authorized; not a virtual position. Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Recruitment incentive/sign‑on bonus: Not authorized. Permanent change of station/relocation assistance: Not authorized. EDRP authorization: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Functional Statement #: 260343‑F. Permanent change of station: Not authorized. VA Careers – Social Work: #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs