Social Worker (Suicide Prevention Case Manager)

Internal Number : 798582800

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 complete review of the EDRP application.

This position may also be filled by a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Internal Posting : USAJOBS - Job Announcement;

External Posting : USAJOBS - Job Announcement 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 : Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 7403(f).

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 going to to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.

TRANSCRIPTS W / CONFER DATE REQUIRED 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 going to Exception : VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure / certification examinations.

This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified.

At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed / uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.

For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker.

Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure / certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure / certification exam.

In states such as CA, WA, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure.

A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.

Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment.

Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.

Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment.

Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.

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 : Social Worker, GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure : None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs : Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.

Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.

Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.

Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses / injuries;

common medications and their effects / side effects; and medical terminology. Social Worker, GS-11 Experience and Licensure : Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.

OR Education : In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.

TRANSCRIPTS W / CONFER DATE REQUIRED Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs : Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.

Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds.

Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures ( acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses / injuries, common medications and their effects / side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.

Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.

Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.

Preferred Experience : Experience with veterans and suicide prevention. References : VA Handbook 5005 / 120, Part II, Appendix G39, September 10, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements : light lifting (under 15 lbs), use of fingers, both hands required, ability to see computer screen, hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental factors include working outside and inside, working closely with others and working alone. " Social Work : Duties vary based on grade.

• At the GS-11 grade level of this assignment, responsibilities include : Weekly clinical contact as needed for high-risk Veterans discharged from inpatient status for the first thirty days -post-discharge while identified as high-risk, in collaboration with other treatment team members;
• Ongoing clinical contact as needed for Veterans deemed at high risk for suicide following national guidelines, and those Veterans placed on the high-risk list;
• Preparation and updates in conjunction with the primary mental health team of the suicide specific assessment, treatment plan, safety plan, and follow-up notes including treatment plan updates;
• Provision of minimum monthly clinical case management contact with all high-risk Veterans in the program; Coordination of all elements of mental health and primary care including active communication with all providers involved in the provision of comprehensive care to high-risk Veterans;
• Provision of evidence-based treatment to high-risk Veterans (, group, individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and completion of specialized training and / or certification in evidence based treatment for high-risk behavior ( Dialectical Behavior Therapy);
• Review / provision of comprehensive discharge planning and social service referrals to high risk Veterans and families; Participation in administrative committees associated with tracking and monitoring of high risk Veterans and serving as back-up to Suicide Prevention Coordinator and other Suicide Prevention Case Managers as needed;
• Provides case management services while utilizing professional skill, objectivity, insight, advanced clinical training, and experience to interpret data identify viable treatment options, and recognize potential high-risk factors, acuity, and needs for services;
• Obtains any relevant HIPAA clearances to allow transmittal of facility data on suicide attempts and individuals at risk and transmitting the data following cyber security requirements as applicable for this sensitive data;
• Ensuring that identified high-risk Veterans have a 24-hour resource number to call and ways to get assistance if an immediate crisis should occur;

Respond to consults from the National Veterans Crisis Line and internal facility calls regarding suicidal Veterans; Other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday, 8am-4 : 30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized EDRP Authorized : Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance. Learn more Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off : days of annual paid time offer per year ( 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 $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K 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 : Available Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"