An incentive up to $10,000 may be offered to assist in relocation or other expenses. A full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory is required. This is an employed Federal Civilian position that affords job security, a competitive base salary, bonuses, paid vacation, paid Federal Holidays, a sick leave benefit, continuing education opportunities, and a first-class health and retirement benefit package. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Duties

The Suicide Prevention Case Manager is responsible for coordination and monitoring of services provided to veterans designated as being at a high risk for suicide and acts as the transitional coordinator of care for these patients. The Suicide Prevention Case manager is responsible for coordinating the care of high-risk patients, providing case management-based services (directly or through referral) necessary to ensure that veteran care is coordinated within the VA medical center, Health Care Centers (HCC's), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) and/or appropriate community agencies. Veterans who have been determined to be at high risk for suicide may have complex health and mental health needs that require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem solving. Services are provided in healthcare settings and in the community. Duties include but are not limited to: Data collection, administrative record keeping, and monitoring patient or program clinical indicators, thresholds, and performance measurements. The incumbent is expected to follow Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) guidelines with regards to management of patients at high risk for suicide. Works closely with the VA medical center's mental health programs, Health Care Centers (HCC's), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's), homeless programs, residential and community care programs, and domiciliary programs to ensure that coordination between these entities is facilitated and Veterans direct care, referral, and follow up is contiguous and based on a continuum of services. Independently provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an advanced practice level for eligible veterans and their family members in the program. Interviews veterans, families, and other significant contacts. The incumbent uses interviews to establish facts about the veteran's condition, the environment, available support, eligibility, and impact of circumstances on the veteran and recommends or makes referral to appropriate program(s) or directs veteran to appropriate community resources. Conducts suicide risk assessments with veterans which involve identification of known suicide risk factors, warning signs, psychosocial stressors, and protective factors. Based on information gathered through suicide risk assessment, the incumbent makes clinical judgments regarding level of assessed suicide risk and determines appropriate plan of care that is consistent with the level of assessed risk. Conducts suicide risk assessments with veterans which involve identification of known suicide risk factors, warning signs, psychosocial stressors, and protective factors. Based on information gathered through suicide risk assessment, the incumbent makes clinical judgments regarding level of assessed suicide risk and determines appropriate plan of care that is consistent with the level of assessed risk. Assures that all veterans assigned to the facility high risk monitoring list are being followed for a time-period not less than 90 days following hospitalization, or 90 days from the date of assignment to the high-risk list. During the high-risk monitoring period, the incumbent is responsible for conducting or coordinating face to face and/or telephone contact with the veteran to assess their safety and ongoing compliance with treatment. The incumbent tracks any no- show appointments by high risk patients and assists as needed with follow-up. Assures that all high-risk patients have completed a Safety Plan which documents crisis intervention strategies the veteran can use to remain safe. With the patient's consent, the incumbent contacts family members and/or other identified supports to provide education and involve in the patient's treatment and safety planning. Safety Plans are completed by the veteran in conjunction with his/her primary therapist or case manager, or an inpatient treatment team. The Safety Plan will include ways to get assistance if an immediate crisis should occur, and the veteran will be provided a copy of the safety plan. Assists the Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) with provision of ongoing SAVE Training where required or requested. The incumbent, along with SPC, conduct outreach to community resources such as Veteran Service Organizations (VSO's) and other community groups to assure that they are aware of how to recognize veterans at risk for suicide and their options for getting these veterans assistance. This position falls under the Mental Health Service Line. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact James Grimm, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: 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. Education. Have a Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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. Please note: A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Licensure. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Regulations. 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). Must pass a background check. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Social Worker In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:(1) 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.(2) 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.(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.(b) 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.(c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.(d) 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.(e) 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Kristopher Palmer
• Email: [email protected]