Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration • Bronx, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) for the James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center. The SPC is organizationally co-aligned with Mental Health Service and Social Work Service and provides suicide prevention services throughout the medical center’s catchment area. The role manages daily operations of the Suicide Prevention Program, coordinates care and case management, provides crisis interventions, promotes community and system crisis resources, delivers suicide prevention education and training, and records data for national, VISN, and local reporting.

As a member of the Suicide Prevention Team, the coordinator works collaboratively on program policies, procedures, and suicide prevention strategies. The position coordinates and monitors mental health and medical services for Veterans identified as being at high risk for suicide; collaborates with treatment coordinators and clinical teams on risk assessment and consultation; tracks treatment progress; and provides individualized case management. The SPC helps ensure appropriate care following high-risk patient record flag placements, including more frequent clinical visits and follow-up after missed appointments.

The incumbent works with healthcare teams to identify and assess risk, safety, and supports for people experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation, or domestic or intimate partner violence; implements appropriate interventions; follows mandated-reporter requirements; and advises interdisciplinary teams. The SPC responds to referrals from staff, the Veterans Crisis Line, and other sources so at-risk Veterans can promptly receive care. Outreach and training activities include promoting suicide prevention best practices, awareness of risk factors, military culture, lethal-means safety, and available resources. The coordinator trains VA clinical and nonclinical staff and community organizations on topics such as crisis response, safety planning, postvention, screening, and risk evaluation.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting and in community locations, including patient homes. Community travel is required, and the role requires safe operation of a government vehicle. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000.

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.
• Current 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.
• 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.
• Knowledge and ability to write program policies, procedures, 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 training, orientation, and clinical practice guidance.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated limited exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program, or have an appropriate waiver as described in the posting.
• Must complete a pre-placement physical evaluation, including occupational history, immunization status, and health and tuberculosis screening, before entry on duty.
• Must be able to operate a government vehicle safely.
• Must be able to travel throughout the community, including entering patient homes; typical activities include sitting and driving distances of 50 miles.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operation of the Suicide Prevention Program.
• Coordinate and monitor mental health and medical services for Veterans identified as being at high risk for suicide.
• Collaborate with Mental Health Treatment Coordinators and clinical treatment teams to provide suicide prevention consultation, track treatment progress, and deliver individualized, comprehensive case management.
• Collaborate with treating clinicians on suicide-risk assessment and guidance regarding high-risk-for-suicide patient record flag placements.
• Ensure appropriate care after high-risk flag placements, including increased clinical visit frequency and follow-up after missed appointments.
• Identify and assess risk, safety, and supports for people experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation, or domestic or intimate partner violence, and implement appropriate interventions with the healthcare team.
• Follow VA and mandated-reporter requirements and advise interdisciplinary teams on abuse, neglect, exploitation, and intimate partner violence issues.
• Respond to referrals from staff, the Veterans Crisis Line, and other sources to ensure at-risk Veterans promptly receive care and services.
• Conduct mandated outreach and awareness activities to promote suicide prevention best practices and understanding of risk factors, military culture, lethal-means safety, and available resources.
• Disseminate clinical practice guidelines and suicide prevention education materials.
• Train VA clinical and nonclinical staff and community organizations on identifying and responding to suicide risk, including crisis response, safety planning, postvention, screening, and evaluation.
• Collaborate with Suicide Prevention Team members on policies, procedures, and suicide prevention strategies.
• Collect and record required data for national, VISN, and local reporting.
• Meet customer needs while supporting Medical Center and Service missions.

Benefits

• Eligibility to apply for the Education Debt Reduction Program; approved awards may be up to $200,000, subject to program requirements and review.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and are available through the hiring agency for details.
• Selected applicants may request consideration of prior work or military service for annual leave accrual credit, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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