About the position
The Social Worker (Program Coordinator) position within the Suicide Prevention Department of the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) is a critical role aimed at enhancing care and services for high-risk Veterans. The incumbent will be organizationally aligned with the Mental Health Service but will specifically focus on providing suicide prevention services across the CAVHS catchment area, which includes both the Little Rock and North Little Rock campuses, as well as eight Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). This position is essential in ensuring that high-risk Veterans receive intensified treatment, safety planning, and follow-up care for missed appointments. The Social Worker will collaborate with training clinicians to assess risk and provide guidance on the placement of Patient Record Flags for high-risk Veterans, ensuring they receive appropriate care and follow-up after missed appointments. This may involve personal contact with identified high-risk Veterans through letters, face-to-face meetings, or telephone calls. In addition to direct care responsibilities, the Social Worker will perform comprehensive suicide risk assessments and develop individualized treatment plans that integrate safety planning and safety goals. They will also provide education on Advanced Directives, including Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Wills, assisting Veterans and their families in preparing these documents as needed. The incumbent will work closely with the interdisciplinary team to identify appropriate decision-makers for Veterans who are unable to make their own decisions, ensuring that the Veterans' rights and preferences are respected. The role also includes responding to referrals from various sources, including the Veterans Crisis Line, to ensure that at-risk Veterans receive immediate care and services. The Social Worker will be a highly accessible point of contact and subject matter expert for the Suicide Prevention Program (SPP), ensuring timely responses to consults and facilitating the resolution of Veterans' needs. Outreach and awareness activities are also a key component of this role, aimed at increasing public understanding of suicide prevention best practices and the resources available to Veterans. The work schedule for this position is Monday to Friday, from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, and the position is full-time with no relocation expenses reimbursed.
Responsibilities
- Ensure enhanced care and services for high-risk Veterans, including intensified treatment and safety planning.
- Provide consultation to care providers involved in treating Veterans at elevated risk for suicide.
- Collaborate with training clinicians to assess risk and provide guidance on Patient Record Flags for high-risk Veterans.
- Make personal contact with identified high-risk Veterans through letters, face-to-face meetings, or telephone calls.
- Perform comprehensive suicide risk assessments and develop individualized treatment plans that include safety planning.
- Provide education on Advanced Directives and assist Veterans in preparing necessary documents.
- Work with the interdisciplinary team to identify appropriate decision-makers for Veterans unable to make their own decisions.
- Respond to referrals from staff members and the Veterans Crisis Line to ensure immediate care for at-risk Veterans.
- Conduct outreach and awareness activities to improve public understanding of suicide prevention and available resources.
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship is required to apply for this job.
- Must have a master's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited school.
- Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
- One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in social work.
- Demonstrated advanced practice skills and judgment in social work.
- Knowledge of program coordination and administration, including consultation and monitoring.
- Ability to write policies, procedures, and practice guidelines for the program.
- Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, and meeting multiple deadlines.
Nice-to-haves
- Familiarity with suicide prevention assessment and treatment.
Benefits
- Competitive salary ranging from $100,049 to $130,059 per year.
- 37-50 days of annual paid time off (including annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays).
- Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
- Childcare subsidy for eligible employees after 60 days of employment.
- Traditional federal pension and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA.
- Comprehensive health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance options.
