Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - Suicide Prevention Program Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, ME

8d

About The Position

The Social Worker (Program Coordinator) serves as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager for all facilities within the VA Maine Healthcare System. The position provides clinical services in serious and complicated cases and carries full professional responsibility for cases involving a wide range of psychosocial and environmental problems. The role includes administrative and clinical oversight of program staff, oversight of program operations and evaluations, and responsibility for improving suicide prevention systems and services across the facility catchment area.

The Program Manager serves as the facility subject matter expert and point of contact for suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, education and outreach, and reporting of suicidal behavior and deaths. The position collaborates with healthcare providers, community organizations, and partners; trains VA clinical and nonclinical staff; responds to referrals; and provides a full range of patient-care interventions within granted privileges, including individual, family, and group therapy. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ad hoc telework may be authorized, but this is not a virtual position. Travel to other VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics may be required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Master’s degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master’s degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level; program coordinators must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and able to provide supervision for licensure.
• One year of experience equivalent to GS-12, demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
• Demonstrated skill coordinating and implementing one or more specialty programs across a facility.
• Demonstrated skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, or program practice guidelines.
• Demonstrated skill organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program areas.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to advance program goals and patient-centered care.
• Ability to perform supervisory duties, including assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, selecting and training staff, recommending awards and advancements, and recommending disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Ability to oversee fiscal matters, including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures; forecast resource and equipment needs; and administer an allocated budget.
• Knowledge of organizational structure and its impact on program operations.
• Valid, unrestricted driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Must complete credentialing and pre-employment requirements, including a physical evaluation or examination, background/security investigation, required onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Submit the EDRP application within four months of appointment if seeking eligibility for the program; eligibility and award are subject to VHA review.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and clinical oversight, as appropriate, for program staff and cultivate a healthy, collaborative workplace.
• Oversee program operations and evaluations; identify improvement opportunities, assess data, and develop and implement improvements.
• Serve as facility subject matter expert and point of contact for suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, education and outreach, and reporting of suicidal behavior and deaths.
• Consult with healthcare providers about resources available for suicidal individuals.
• Provide expertise and direction on system design to prevent suicide within the VA Maine Healthcare System catchment area.
• Implement, monitor, and track applicable organizational guidelines, vision, mission, and goals.
• Collaborate on, develop, revise, and enforce policies related to national and local suicide prevention efforts.
• Ensure tracking and reporting mechanisms are implemented for suicidal behaviors occurring within facility catchment areas.
• Complete issue briefs and other reports related to self-directed violence.
• Ensure enhanced care and services are provided, including intensified treatment, safety planning, and follow-up after missed appointments.
• Respond to referrals from staff, the Veterans Crisis Line, and other touchpoints.
• Collaborate with community organizations and partners to increase awareness of suicide prevention best practices and provide training.
• Participate in suicide prevention outreach activities.
• Train VA clinical and nonclinical staff to identify and respond to people at increased risk for suicide.
• Provide patient-care interventions within granted privileges, including individual, family, and group therapy, behavior-management consultations, and systems or environmental interventions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and approval, with an award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and program limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Ad hoc telework may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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