Social Worker (Suicide Prevention Clinician)

Social Worker (Suicide Prevention Clinician)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Tucson, Arizona

Salary Range: $70654 - $111137 Per Year

Job 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.

Major Duties:

• The principle role of the Suicide Prevention Clinician (SPCL) is to coordinate & monitor services for veterans designated as high risk for suicide, and act as the transitional coordinator of care for these patients. The determination of risk level is based on clinical evaluation and assessment of a veteran by appropriate behavioral health care providers. The SPCL is responsible for coordinating the care of high risk patients throughout the medical center, including CBOC's and community agencies. Major duties include, but are not limited to: The SPCL must be sensitive to the ethnic and cultural diversity and age-specific challenges across the spectrum of veterans served and adjust intervention and treatment plans as appropriate. The incumbent works independently and collaboratively with other treatment team members, professionals, non-professionals, and others at the VA Medical Center and community agencies to assist veterans in managing their mental health problems, psychosocial needs, barriers to treatment and mitigating risk factors related to suicide. The incumbent is expected to follow VACO guidelines with regards to management of patients at high risk for suicide. The functions of the clinician include, but may not be limited to: Responding to consults from the National Veterans Crisis Line as outlined by National Suicide Prevention policies and procedures. In collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Coordinator, reviews charts, and makes assessments and recommendations on suicide risk as well as need for High Risk for Suicide Flag and monitoring. Assuring that all veterans assigned to the facility high risk for suicide patient flag are being followed for a time period not less than 90 days. Monitoring activities include: Maintaining electronic tracking sheet of high risk veterans Ensuring all clinical appointments are scheduled at time of initiation of High Risk flag in accordance with VACO and Mental Health High Risk for Suicide Flag policies. Tracking any no-show appointments by these patients and assisting primary treatment team with emergency interventions appropriate to the situation, including but not limited to, contacting veteran's identified emergency contact, and /or calling 911. Contacting the veteran's Mental Health Treatment Team to coordinate monitoring activities, tracking appointments and coordinating enhanced care as needed. Maintaining awareness of suicide treatment options and making recommendations to the patient's provider when new options become available. To provide care to those veterans awaiting assignment to an appropriate Mental Health Team. Assuring that all high risk patients have completed a Safety Plan which documents crisis prevention strategies and is agreeable to the veteran. When it is clinically determined that a veteran is no longer at high risk, the SPCL collaborates with the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for removal of High Risk for Suicide Flag and monitoring. Assisting with provision of on-going suicide prevention training with both clinical and non-clinical staff. Assisting with outreach to community resources to assure that they are aware of how to recognize veterans at risk for suicide and their options for getting these Veterans assistance. Timely and accurate documentation, using appropriate notes and templates as defined within the facility Suicide Prevention Program as well as Mental Health. Collaborates and coordinates with the Suicide Prevention Coordinator on additional activities as needed. Completes behavioral health autopsies, SPAN reporting, and assist with completing issue briefs pertaining to suicide prevention. Participates in outreach activities on station and in the community which may require travel and work outside of normal duty hours. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, for questions/assistance. Learn more 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.

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. 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/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. 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-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. 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: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Two years of suicide prevention work. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standards, GS-185, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities, it may be necessary to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representative of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. Must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary.

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 05/11/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12947021. 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-11