Senior Social Worker (Joint Suicide Prevention)

Veterans Health Administration • Aurora, CO

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker will coordinate the Joint Suicide Prevention Collaborative (JSPC) Program, embedded in the M2VA Program. The role administers standardized screenings for Service Members at military transition and at follow-up points six months and one year after separation, working collaboratively with programs at Department of Defense installations to support smooth transitions for Service Members separating within the ECHCS area.

The coordinator develops and reviews eScreening assessments and screening batteries, reviews Veterans’ responses, screens for eligibility for VA care and high-risk characteristics, provides education about VA healthcare benefits, and arranges immediate medical or mental-health triage when clinically necessary. The role oversees JSPC eScreening operations, data collection and management, reporting, and program administration, including developing operational policies and procedures and monitoring staff compliance with practice standards.

The Senior Social Worker analyzes clinical program data to identify trends and service needs, provides leadership and training, and delivers case-management services to Service Members, Veterans, and their families across the continuum of care. The position involves collaboration with multidisciplinary clinical teams and community agencies to support treatment planning, coordination, and continuity of care. The incumbent supports VA, VHA, VISN 19, and ECHCS missions and standards, communicates with customers and colleagues, keeps the supervisor informed of problems and solutions, and maintains professional growth and required continuing education.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad-hoc telework is available under agency policy; this is not a virtual position. The incumbent may modify the tour of duty as needed to accommodate patient needs. Physical demands are generally minor and include sitting, standing, and walking. The incumbent must also be trained in advanced therapeutic containment and personal-safety skills, including blocking strikes and grabs, dropping to the knees, lunging forward, and balancing on an extended leg.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master’s degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level; for GS-11 and above, licensure or certification is required, subject to applicable grandfathering provisions.
• For the GS-12 grade, at least two years of experience after advanced-practice clinical licensure, including one year equivalent to the GS-11 level.
• Advanced-practice state licensure or certification, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless covered by the specified state grandfathering provision; must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
• Demonstrated skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management.
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Knowledge of methods for measuring the effectiveness of social-work practice and services, using outcome evaluations to improve treatment and design system changes.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students and to model effective social-work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service delivery area.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
• Knowledge and skill in using software applications for document drafting and data management and other VHA computer systems.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Subject to a background/security investigation and required online onboarding and employment identification requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as VA healthcare personnel.
• Must complete a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Must meet application requirements listed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Physical demands include sitting, standing, and walking; the role also requires training in advanced PMDB therapeutic containment and personal-safety skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with active-duty Service Members.
• Knowledge of challenges faced by Service Members separating from the military.
• Knowledge of VA service programs.
• Certification or post-master’s training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university in a specialty area, including a defined curriculum and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and create assessments using the eScreening electronic screening tool as needed.
• Create and review eScreening batteries sent to transitioning Service Members and review completed responses.
• Screen for eligibility for VHA care, high-risk characteristics, and other psychosocial factors.
• Provide Veterans with information about VA healthcare benefits and arrange immediate medical or mental-health triage when clinically necessary.
• Collect and manage program data and oversee eScreening operations for the Joint Suicide Prevention Collaborative initiative.
• Report data as requested by the JSPC Program Manager, Sharing Agreement Oversight Committee, CM&SW leadership, and Executive Leadership Team.
• Participate actively as a member of the M2VA/JSPC Program.
• Provide case-management services to Service Members, Veterans, and their families throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer the JSPC eScreening program, oversee daily operations, and develop program policies and procedures.
• Prepare reports and statistics for facility, DoD partners, VISN, and national use.
• Develop and monitor staff compliance with standards and guidelines for documentation, workload, data entry, ethical practice, and service delivery.
• Analyze and evaluate clinical program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs and improve service quality.
• Provide leadership, direction, orientation, in-service training, and staff development throughout ECHCS as needed.
• Support the missions, policies, and procedures of VA, VHA, VISN 19, and ECHCS.
• Keep the supervisor informed of problems and recommended solutions in the incumbent’s area of responsibility.
• Pursue professional growth through licensure or certification prerequisites and appropriate continuing education.
• Use software applications for drafting documents and managing data, as well as other VHA computer systems.
• Maintain productivity and quality consistent with the assignment’s complexity and applicable Social Work, Joint Commission, and facility standards.
• Modify the tour of duty as necessary to accommodate Service Member and Veteran patient needs.
• Treat customers courteously, tactfully, and respectfully; provide consistent information in accordance with policy; and handle conflicts constructively.
• Communicate and collaborate with other disciplines, including nursing and medicine, to facilitate treatment planning and implementation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to coordinate comprehensive patient care.
• Communicate and collaborate with community agencies to facilitate treatment, continuity of care, and problem resolution.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual-leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior