The incumbent is assigned to the Suicide Prevention program at the Memphis VA Medical Center and provides case management and clinical intervention of Veterans who are identified as high risk for suicide.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-11 Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non- II-G39-6 September 10, 2019 VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.(b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds.(c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.(d) Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.(e) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials that may be required to don protective clothing. Incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia or psychotic disorders. Incumbent must be flexible and capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based in patient needs. Incumbent must complete all annual Employee Health Requirements. Position will also require use of the VA motor vehicle; incumbent must have a valid state license.
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Completes psychosocial assessments and include pertinent information in all the required areas of functioning in order to determine appropriate diagnoses and other treatment-related conclusions. Collaborate with inpatient treatment providers for discharge planning and follow treatment recommendations for high-risk suicide patients. Ensure all Veterans on the facility's high-risk monitoring list receive ongoing case management for at least 90 days after being flagged as high-risk. Conduct regular monitoring through face-to-face, telephone, or telehealth contact to assess safety and treatment compliance. Track and follow up on any missed appointments by high-risk patients to assess safety and reschedule promptly.If a Veteran's safety cannot be established or they are at imminent risk for self-harm, initiate emergency interventions, such as contacting the Veteran's emergency contact or requesting a welfare check. With the patient's consent, contact family members or other supports to provide education and involve them in treatment and safety planning. Collaborate with the Veteran's primary health providers to monitor activities, track appointments, and coordinate enhanced care as needed. Recommend repeat suicide attempters for referral to programs like Peer Support, MHICM, and specialty mental health care. Stay aware of suicide treatment options and make recommendations to providers when new options arise. Ensure all high-risk patients complete and receive a Suicide Prevention Safety Plan documenting agreed-upon crisis prevention strategies. Work Schedule: Primarily Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 (evenings/weekends occasionally and flexible scheduling) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidate Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): May be authorized for highly qualified candidate Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000