Social Worker Program Manager, Suicide Prevention

Veterans Health Administration • Dayton, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Dayton VA Medical Center is recruiting a Social Worker Program Manager to coordinate and manage the administrative and clinical aspects of the Suicide Prevention Program within Mental Health Service. The role coordinates interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments, budget, treatment services, and admission and discharge criteria. The incumbent oversees services for serious and complicated cases, coordinates a complex set of programs, manages a diverse multidisciplinary staff, and holds professional responsibility for activities within the division.

Administrative responsibilities include hiring and training staff, scheduling, evaluating performance, initiating corrective action, and planning and evaluating in-service training. The position monitors program fidelity to Suicide Prevention Program directives, reports on program performance, identifies improvement needs, and develops objectives for improvement while maintaining the budget and fiscal stability. It prepares clinical, administrative, and evaluative records, reports, and correspondence; ensures services meet applicable Joint Commission accreditation standards and VA Quality Management requirements; and interprets applicable VA Central Office, VISN, and facility policies and directives.

The manager develops and maintains patient-care policies and procedures for program operations and community relations, reviewing and revising them periodically. The role directs staff performance-related activities and addresses complaints and concerns from staff, patients, families, stakeholders, and others regarding program operations. Other duties may be assigned.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 0800–1630. It is not a virtual position; ad hoc telework may be available under agency policy. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and application requirements. The stated potential award is up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years, determined after review of the application.

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 degree level, maintained as full, valid, and unrestricted.
• For the GS-13 program coordinator grade, one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 level demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
• Advanced-practice-level licensure or certification, with the ability to provide supervision for licensure.
• Skill coordinating and implementing one or more specialty programs across a facility.
• Skill in developing local policy, procedures, and practice guidelines for the program.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet multiple deadlines, and evaluate 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, evaluating performance, selecting and training staff, recommending awards and advancements, and recommending disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Ability to oversee fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer an allocated budget.
• Knowledge of organizational structure and its impact on program operations.
• Valid state-issued driver’s license.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must pass the required pre-employment physical evaluation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Must meet background and security investigation requirements, complete onboarding and application requirements, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Certification or post-master’s degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university, including a defined curriculum or course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.
• For current VHA employees in this occupation, potential qualification under the applicable grandfathering provision.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the administrative and clinical aspects of the Suicide Prevention Program under Mental Health Service.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments, budget, treatment services, and program admission and discharge criteria.
• Hire and train program staff; schedule work; evaluate employee performance; and initiate corrective action when appropriate.
• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate staff in-service training.
• Monitor program adherence to Suicide Prevention Program directives and report on program performance.
• Identify performance-improvement needs and develop objectives to improve program operations.
• Maintain the program budget and ensure fiscal stability.
• Prepare clinical, administrative, and evaluative records, reports, and correspondence.
• Ensure services meet Joint Commission accreditation standards and VA Quality Management requirements.
• Interpret applicable VACO, VISN, and local policies, directives, regulations, guidelines, and information letters, and ensure program adherence.
• Develop, maintain, periodically review, and revise patient-care policies and procedures for program operations and community relations.
• Manage and direct the administrative and clinical operations of program staff and components.
• Oversee services for serious and complicated cases and coordinate the program’s multidisciplinary services.
• Address and resolve staff, patient, family, stakeholder, and other administrative complaints and concerns about program operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student-loan reimbursement, potentially up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to approval and eligibility.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with qualifying family income, up to 25% of eligible childcare costs and a stated monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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