U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Senior Social Worker (Suicide Prevention Coordinator)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Augusta, Georgia, United States, 30910
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $91,983.00/yr - $119,583.00/yr
Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval—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 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
Education: Have a 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 that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited
A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work
Verification of the degree can be made by visiting http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work
Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
Current state requirements may be found by visiting http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
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 GS-12: Experience/Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which - one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment
Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice
Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty
Licensure/Certification: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination - unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California - which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations
This includes individual - group - and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or 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 - as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills
Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession - and to write policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area
Preferred Experience: Experience working with high-risk/crisis patients preferred 2+ years clinical experience preferred
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.
Duties
Suicide Prevention Coordinators identifies, assesses, and manages those Veterans identified as high risk for suicide - facilitating comprehensive care and support
Maintains detailed, accurate, and timely documentation of all assessments, interventions, and follow-up activities in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
Coordinates with primary care providers, mental health clinicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care for high-risk Veterans
Conducts thorough clinical assessments and risk evaluations for Veterans identified as high risk for suicide
Develops and implements individualized safety plans and provides ongoing case management to ensure continuous support
Provides immediate crisis intervention services - including assessments and appropriate therapeutic responses
Responds to referrals from the Veterans Crisis Line - assessing risk and providing linkage to resources
Trains on suicide risk assessment and intervention strategies to clinical and non-clinical staff to enhance their competency in managing suicidal behavior
Provides education and support to Veterans and their families on recognizing signs of suicidal ideation and accessing mental health resources
Conducts targeted outreach to Veterans identified as high risk for suicide to engage them in appropriate care and services. Monitors the progress of high-risk Veterans - adjusting care plans as necessary to address evolving needs and risk factors
Serves as a consultant to healthcare providers and facility staff on matters related to suicide prevention and risk management
Engages with local community organizations, national organizations, and peers to support suicide prevention initiatives
Participates in community outreach activities to improve mental health awareness and facilitate access to services for Veterans
Participates in and/or chairs workgroups and committees focused on change and improvement in the program - service line - and medical center
Serves as a member on standing committees that require Suicide Prevention representation
Ensures compliance with all relevant VA policies, federal regulations, and Joint Commission standards related to suicide prevention
Collects and manages data related to suicide prevention activities and outcomes - preparing regular reports for facility leadership and national VA offices
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact VHA.ELRSPROGRAMSUPPORT@VA.GOV - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Benefits and Compensation
Competitive salary and regular salary increases when setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child
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 total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Other
Industries Government Administration
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Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $91,983.00/yr - $119,583.00/yr
Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval—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 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
Education: Have a 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 that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited
A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work
Verification of the degree can be made by visiting http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work
Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
Current state requirements may be found by visiting http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
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 GS-12: Experience/Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which - one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment
Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice
Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty
Licensure/Certification: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination - unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California - which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations
This includes individual - group - and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or 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 - as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills
Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession - and to write policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area
Preferred Experience: Experience working with high-risk/crisis patients preferred 2+ years clinical experience preferred
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.
Duties
Suicide Prevention Coordinators identifies, assesses, and manages those Veterans identified as high risk for suicide - facilitating comprehensive care and support
Maintains detailed, accurate, and timely documentation of all assessments, interventions, and follow-up activities in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
Coordinates with primary care providers, mental health clinicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care for high-risk Veterans
Conducts thorough clinical assessments and risk evaluations for Veterans identified as high risk for suicide
Develops and implements individualized safety plans and provides ongoing case management to ensure continuous support
Provides immediate crisis intervention services - including assessments and appropriate therapeutic responses
Responds to referrals from the Veterans Crisis Line - assessing risk and providing linkage to resources
Trains on suicide risk assessment and intervention strategies to clinical and non-clinical staff to enhance their competency in managing suicidal behavior
Provides education and support to Veterans and their families on recognizing signs of suicidal ideation and accessing mental health resources
Conducts targeted outreach to Veterans identified as high risk for suicide to engage them in appropriate care and services. Monitors the progress of high-risk Veterans - adjusting care plans as necessary to address evolving needs and risk factors
Serves as a consultant to healthcare providers and facility staff on matters related to suicide prevention and risk management
Engages with local community organizations, national organizations, and peers to support suicide prevention initiatives
Participates in community outreach activities to improve mental health awareness and facilitate access to services for Veterans
Participates in and/or chairs workgroups and committees focused on change and improvement in the program - service line - and medical center
Serves as a member on standing committees that require Suicide Prevention representation
Ensures compliance with all relevant VA policies, federal regulations, and Joint Commission standards related to suicide prevention
Collects and manages data related to suicide prevention activities and outcomes - preparing regular reports for facility leadership and national VA offices
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact VHA.ELRSPROGRAMSUPPORT@VA.GOV - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Benefits and Compensation
Competitive salary and regular salary increases when setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child
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 total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Other
Industries Government Administration
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