Suicide Prevention Social Worker

Quick Facts

• Role: Social Worker (Suicide Prevention)
• Focus: Veterans at suicide risk; individual-level counseling and facility/community suicide prevention support

Description

The Social Worker serves on the Suicide Prevention Team, providing counseling and interventions for Veterans at risk for suicide and advising facility leadership and program staff on suicide prevention strategies. Responsibilities include tracking suicide-related and preparatory behaviors, responding to Veterans Crisis Line consults, rescheduling missed appointments, delivering VA SAVE training, and providing consultation and education to Veterans and their families. The role includes conducting psychosocial assessments, formulating and implementing treatment plans, coordinating community resources, and using VA software systems for documentation and data management.

Responsibilities

• Track suicide and preparatory behaviors per suicide prevention program guide
• Ensure Veterans on the facility tracking list are followed regularly by the appropriate provider
• Respond daily to Veterans Crisis Line consults
• Track no-show appointments for at-risk patients and follow up to reschedule
• Provide VA SAVE Suicide Prevention training to VA and community resources
• Provide treatment for adults (including geriatric patients) considering physical limitations, psychological needs, and age-related conditions
• Make decisions considering age-related concerns
• Consult and educate Veterans and families on community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs, and advance directives (including coordinating community-based services and referrals)
• Consult with treatment teams and staff on Veterans’ psychosocial needs and how psychosocial issues affect care planning, compliance, and discharge planning
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse backgrounds
• Support VA/VHA/VISN/facility policies and procedures
• Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces as assigned
• Maintain communication with supervisor on problems and recommended solutions
• Pursue continuing education aligned to the assignment
• Use software applications for drafting documents and data management and other VHA systems
• Maintain productivity and quality consistent with Social Work, Joint Commission, and facility standards

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Complete online onboarding process and pre-employment requirements
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program (doctoral degree cannot substitute for the MSW)
• State licensure/certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level (GS-9 waiver may apply; independent licensure required within 3 years)
• For GS-11: minimum 1 year post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 level plus independent-practice licensure/certification, or doctoral degree substitution

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days annual paid time per year (annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays)
• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid parental leave after 12 months of employment
• Child care subsidy after 60 days (eligibility based on income)
• Retirement: traditional federal pension and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA
• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care
• Ad-hoc telework available
• Additional federal benefits (eligibility depends on position type)