Job Details

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) EligibilityThis 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 an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Upon complete review of the EDRP application by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined.Basic RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationHave 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 accreditedA doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social workVerification 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 workLicensurePersons 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 levelCurrent state requirements may be found by going to Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment – the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesSenior Social Worker – GS-12 Experience/EducationThe 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 levelSenior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgmentSenior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practiceSenior 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 specialtyDemonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities(a) Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations(b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice(c) 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(d) 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(e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession – and to write policies – procedures – and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery areaReference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation – see Duties section for essential job duties of the positionMay require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushingMay be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employmentWork Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions – the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilatedHowever – the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.DutiesActs as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) for the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center – Mental Health Service.Facilitates the implementation of suicide prevention strategies at a local level through education, monitoring, and coordination activities.Coordinates care of veterans at suicide risk and advises Mental Health Leadership, facility leadership, program managers, and staff concerning suicide prevention strategies for individual patients.Responsible for tracking and reporting all suicide attempts and completions at the facility, including the submission of a monthly report to the National Suicide Prevention Coordinator.Controls the Category I Patient Record Flag as it relates to suicide and limits its use to patients who meet the criteria of being placed on the facility high‑risk list.Responsible for inputting information into the National database (SPAN) on all suicides via the Behavioral Health Autopsy Program (BHAP) and Behavioral Health Autopsy Program‑Family Interview Protocol (BHAP‑FITC).Outreach to promote awareness of veteran suicide risk and educate the community regarding recognizing suicide risk among veteran population and how to assist veterans and their families in accessing available resources for support and care.Program development and dissemination of new trainings, tools and outreach materials to promote continued performance improvement – such as evidence‑based interventions.Provide general consultation to providers concerning resources for suicidal individuals – as well as expertise and direction in the areas of system design to prevent suicidal deaths within the medical facility.Serves as a resource for both the VA facility and community related to veteran suicide and suicide prevention issues.Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies.Attends all assigned meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, Mental Health staff meetings, committees, etc.).Develops, populates, and maintains any technical tools necessary for monitoring, tracking and reporting status to the Suicide Prevention Program Manager.Responsible for staff and patient education during Suicide Awareness Week.Educational activities may include displays and exhibits regarding suicide prevention.Educational activities may provide information about the VA National Mental Health Crisis/Suicide Hotline discussion – and other support services available.Collaborates in performance improvement processes and complies with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program.Participates in activities that obtain feedback from veterans and care providers to enhance services.Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday – subject to change based upon the needs of the facility.Compensation and BenefitsPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. A higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.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: Available – Virtual: This is not a virtual position.EDRP: Authorized – Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive.#J-18808-Ljbffr