Senior Social Worker- Suicide Prevention Coordinator

Summary The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) will assist in facilitating implementation of suicide prevention strategies at the Boise Veterans Administration Medical Center. Incumbent conducts mental health assessments and treatment plans and provides consultation to inpatient wards, Primary Care, and Behavioral Health Providers to assess eligibility and appropriate level of care for Veterans in need of services. Qualifications Applicants pending 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 qualified citizens cannot be recruited. Education Master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. Doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree. Licensure Hired or reassigned to GS-0185 social worker positions must be licensed or certified by a state to practice independently at the master's level. English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations, including individual, group, and family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced-level psychosocial and case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area and to role model effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession and to write policies, procedures, and practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Physical Requirements There are no physical requirements for this occupation. Duties Complete consults from the National Suicide Hotline. Maintain comprehensive patient progress notes and treatment plans. Coordinate the provision of a level of care for all patients that meet VA and JCAHO standards. Provide supportive group and individual counseling. Participate in the interdisciplinary treatment planning process – attend team meetings and work in conjunction with the treatment team. Resolve issues and disputes or refer them to the Patient Advocate when no solution can be reached through discussion and collaboration with other services. Assist with the REACH VET Program and maintain the facility Category I Patient Record Flag for High Risk for Suicide. Ensure that Veterans identified as being at high risk for suicide receive follow‑up for any missed appointments and that this follow‑up is documented in the Electronic Medical Record. Serve as a coordinator of care for veterans at high risk. Track high-risk patients and monitor treatment to ensure that needed services are received. Play an active role in the RCA (Root Cause Analysis) Suicide Team with the facility as required. Complete reports and submit them within the required time frames. Provide training to clinical and non-clinical staff in the Medical Center, CBOCs, and community, covering risk factors, warning signs, treatment options, and resources. Assist with developing an ongoing VA S.A.V.E training program for non-clinical frontline staff and the community. Perform administrative and case management functions and serve on committees and work groups as deemed appropriate. Further one's own professional growth through continuing education appropriate to the area of assignment. Assist in the orientation and learning of less experienced social workers and serve as a preceptor for social work students when appropriate. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the use of software applications for drafting documents, data management, and other computer systems used by the VHA. Maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and with Social Work standards, Joint Commission standards, and facility standards. Document in the veteran's electronic medical record chart (CPRS) and complete a thorough assessment and treatment plan in the Mental Health Suite. Work Schedule: Monday–Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm or compressed tour available. Compensation and Benefits Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Possible higher step rate for higher qualifications. Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time offered per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement. 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 eligible childcare costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care coverage. Telework: Ad‑hoc telework available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not available. #J-18808-Ljbffr US Department of Veterans Affairs