Senior Social Worker (Suicide Prevention)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is a Senior Social Worker who will serve to facilitate implementation of suicide prevention strategies to help ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to prevent suicide in our veteran population. The primary responsibilities of the Suicide Prevention Coordinator include monitoring a list of veterans determined to be at high risk for self-harm and coordinating enhanced care when needed, providing education to all front line and clinical staff regarding risk factors and protective factors for suicide, educating clinical staff regarding safety planning with their patients, networking with community partners, and assisting with timely and accurate responses to all action items regarding the Suicide Prevention Program. As a Senior Social Worker, the Suicide Prevention Coordinator facilitates efficient and appropriate delivery of mental health services across episodes of care within the Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The work of this position is highly complex, involving a combination of mental health administrative skills and intensive clinical services in serious and complicated cases, and carries full professional responsibility for cases presenting a wide range of psychosocial and environmental problems. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator must have previous specialized experience providing direct care to suicidal and/or behavioral health patients and previous experience providing patient and staff education. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is required to use a government vehicle while doing community outreach but is not required to transport Veteran's. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator implements information systems to track services including visits, referrals, inpatient admissions, patient demographics, and patient satisfaction. The incumbent provides programmatic guidance, including technical and clinical assistance, to other staff in the Suicide Prevention Program. T he Suicide Prevention Coordinator is responsible for data collection and monthly reports on all veterans who have had a recent suicide attempt and monitors the completion of the Suicide Behavior Report by other providers. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is responsible for data collection, administrative record keeping, monitoring of patient or program clinical indicators, and performance measurements as further delineated by Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL). The Suicide Prevention Coordinator, along with the rest of the provider staff, interprets and implements the philosophy and goals of the Behavioral Health Service and the program to which they are assigned to others in the work setting, functions within established guidelines and demonstrates the ability to work effectively and develop sound relationships with their patients, other caregivers, professional staff and supportive personnel who provide patient care. Duties are continued in the Education Section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:45 PM Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator at vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more 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: Ad-Hoc Telework is available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56104-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Must have a valid driver's license Must pass a pre-placement examination to operate a government vehicle. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Education

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. You must possess 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work.' NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by CSWE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: In addition, the Suicide Prevention Coordinator is an integral part of the Suicide Prevention Team and provides the following functions: Responds to consults from the National Suicide Prevention Hotline and coordinates the follow-up care for these veterans and families per the required timeframes delineated in VHA Directive 1503 (2), Operations of the Veterans Crisis Line Center. Reviews all veterans whose charts have been flagged due to being at risk for suicide. Assures that all veterans on the facility tracking list are being followed closely by the appropriate provider on a regular basis as determined by the coordinator and the provider. Works with community resources such as VSOs and other community groups to assure that they are aware of how to recognize Veterans at risk for suicide and their options for getting these Veterans assistance. Develops and implements an ongoing education plan for providers, veterans, families, and members of the community on risk factors and warning signs for suicide, and treatment options. Assures that all of these veterans have a 24-hour resource number to call and ways to get assistance if an immediate crisis should occur. Assists with the assessment and case coordination of Veterans who present for same day behavioral health services as needed or assigned. This care coordination can include and is not limited to suicide risk evaluations, provision of VA/community resources, submitting consults for VA care, and psychiatric hospitalization. Provides referrals to VA medical and Behavioral health treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits, as well as community-based social services or other non-VA entitlement programs. Assesses high risk factors, acuity, and the need for services. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator has the ability to serve veterans who tend to have frequent and severe crises, or an inadequate community support network, those that frequently fail to adhere to instructions and treatment or have significant deficits in coping and require continuing professional psychosocial support. Participates in the assignment of veterans to treatment teams and programs. Consults with other specialists in planning treatment for veterans and with co-morbidities. Develops working relationships with other organizations having responsibility for the same patient population. Maintains a current and productive network of referral resources. Monitors veterans' progress, and maintains comprehensive documentation, ensures expert diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders and shows competent discretion in decision to adjust treatment. Makes recommendations for and changes to treatment plans with coordination from other providers and programs. Provides Direct Clinical Care using the full range of psychotherapy services including individual, group, and couples treatment interventions, biopsychosocial assessments, development of treatment plans, and other evidence-based practices. Provides orientation and on-going training for interdisciplinary team members and conducts staff development programs for Behavioral Health Service and takes responsibility for providing opportunities to help staff update their behavioral health professional practice skills and acquire new knowledge in contemporary treatment modalities. Evaluates his/her practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conference, or other organized means. Is active in and accepts responsibility for the development and maintenance of professional standards of treatment. Serves as a mentor to other Social Workers, particularly those at the entry level and to Social Work graduate students. Is viewed by Social Workers and Behavioral Health staff as a senior clinician with advanced practice skills and expertise.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/17/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13031501. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Resume/CV Other (2) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.