Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration • Coatesville, PA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker (Program Coordinator) serves as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) in the Mental Health Department. The role facilitates local implementation of suicide prevention strategies through education, monitoring, and coordination, and coordinates care for veterans at risk of suicide. The SPC advises the Mental Health Executive Council, facility leadership, program managers, and staff on prevention strategies for individual patients, the facility, and the veteran community.

The coordinator works with providers and interdisciplinary treatment teams to monitor and support high-risk veterans, intensify treatment as needed, and address administrative and clinical barriers to care. The position also coordinates outreach and education, builds relationships with community and state organizations, delivers gatekeeper training, and serves as a resource on veteran suicide prevention. Monthly community outreach duties require driving within the facility catchment area and transporting materials.

This is a permanent, full-time federal position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval; the program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment over an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• 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 degree level.
• For the GS-12 program coordinator grade, one year of experience equivalent to GS-11 demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
• Program coordinators must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and able to provide supervision for licensure.
• Knowledge of program coordination and administration, including consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
• Ability to write program policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines.
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet multiple deadlines, and evaluate assigned program areas.
• Ability to provide clinical-practice training, orientation, and guidance.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must meet pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, physical evaluation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must complete all application requirements described in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of post-LCSW experience, with experience in mental health, substance use disorders, and program coordination.
• Certification or post-master's training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university with a defined curriculum and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate local implementation of suicide prevention strategies through education, monitoring, and coordination.
• Coordinate care for veterans at risk of suicide and advise facility leadership, program managers, staff, and the Mental Health Executive Council on suicide prevention strategies.
• Ensure suicide attempts and completions at the facility are documented in CPRS.
• Review and analyze complex issues, ambiguous situations, and ethical conflicts, using sound judgment and problem-solving.
• Follow up on consults for high-risk-for-suicide flag placement within required time frames.
• Monitor veterans identified as high risk for suicide to ensure continued care and treatment.
• Ensure providers follow up on missed appointments for high-risk patients and initiate problem-solving about barriers or difficulties in ongoing care.
• Plan and coordinate outreach events and staff and patient education during Suicide Awareness Month.
• Work with providers and treatment teams to intensify monitoring and treatment for high-risk patients and provide education and support to reduce risk.
• Build relationships with local and state suicide prevention organizations, crisis line organizations, and Veteran Service Organizations.
• Deliver VA S.A.V.E. or other approved gatekeeper training to non-clinical staff.
• Serve as a resource to the facility and community on veteran suicide and suicide prevention issues.
• Participate in interdisciplinary planning and team meetings and work with treatment teams as needed.
• Coordinate with services throughout the medical center, including medical providers and patient advocates, to resolve administrative and clinical problems and coordinate care.
• Deliver the required number of community outreach activities each month, including driving to events within the facility catchment area, transporting outreach materials, and facilitating events.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal, work, or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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