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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Social Worker (Suicide Prevention) Near Amarillo, TX

Qualifications:

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: Must be proficient in written or spoken English.
• 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/. Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Please see the Additional Information Section of this announcement for details.

Preferred Experience:

• At least one year conducting assessment of patients' needs in a health care setting.
• Experience in working with a multidisciplinary treatment team (at least 1 year)
• At least one-year experience in electronic medical record documentation of health and behavioral issues.
• At least one-year experience in working with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD.
• Experience in EBP's (evidenced based psychotherapies)

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for each grade level.

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- VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level, OR, 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.

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39, September 10, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs); light carrying (under 15 lbs); straight pulling (15 mins); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; Walking/Standing (15 mins); Emotional and Mental Stability; Cognitive Stability

Responsibilities:

The SPSW functions as a member of the Suicide Prevention Team for care of Veterans at suicide risk and as an advisor to the Chief, Mental Health Service, facility leadership, program managers, and staff concerning suicide prevention strategies at the individual patient level, and for the facility and veterans community as a whole. This is accomplished through:
- Tracking all suicide and preparatory behaviors as indicated in suicide prevention program guide.
- Assuring 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.
- Tracking any no-show appointments by these patients and following up with the patient as soon as possible to reschedule the appointment..
- Maintaining awareness of suicide treatment options and making recommendations to the patient's provider when new options become available.
- Responding to Veterans Crisis Line consults on a daily basis.
- Obtaining any relevant Release of Information to allow establishment of continuum of care.
- Completing safety plans with high risk for suicide patients to include lethal means counseling and education on Veterans Crisis Line contact information.
- Assuring compliance with Joint Commission standards related to suicide prevention.
- Providing VA SAVE training to VA and community resources.
- Working with community resources such as VSO's 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.
- Developing and implementing an ongoing education plan for providers, veterans, families, and members of the community on risk factors and warning signs for suicide, and treatment options.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary