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The Social Work- SPCM assigned to the New York Harbor Healthcare System- Manhattan campus will provide services for patients at high risk for suicide and other adverse events and function as a bridge to care, providing short-term case management and treatment as needed until patients are engaged in ongoing Mental Health care. 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/. 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. Failure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. 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; OR 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 KSAs: 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; and 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: Experience with suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and working with veteran populations References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to: Respond to Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) consults, where veterans from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds, contact the crisis line with suicidal thoughts behaviors, or other mental health and non-mental health related issues. SPCM will contact veteran to provide crisis intervention and support, provide safety planning, discuss risk mitigation, resolve problems, coordinate with and provide support to family members, connect to emergency services, provide referrals to MH or other care, coordinate care with VA and non-VA providers, as needed Monitoring and completion of VCL consults in Medora (VCL documentation record) Care coordination to assure high risk patients are engaged in treatment; SPCM will meet with veterans (by phone, VVC, or in person) to assess MH care needs and provide appropriate referrals; will also contact and work with VA and/or community providers to ensure connection to appropriate care. SPCM will monitor veteran appointments and follow up as appropriate. 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 treatment plans. Meeting with patients by appointment, as walk-ins, or by home visits as needed to assess suicide risk and mental health needs. SPCM will implement crisis intervention, provide support, and otherwise respond to patient needs, as appropriate. Follow up with patients discharged from the emergency department, acute care, or residential care by meeting with veterans to assess suicide risk, provide safety planning, discuss risk mitigation plans, and provide appropriate MH or non-mental health referrals. Assessment of psychosocial needs (e.g., psychotherapy or other interventions, social support, education, housing, job training, etc.), including completion of psychosocial evaluations as needed. Complete suicide safety plans for veterans in inpatient, outpatient, and ER settings, including identifying warning signs, coping strategies, lethal means restriction, resources, and sources of support for times of crisis Referral to appropriate MH and medical services within and outside VA Referral for housing and benefits assistance and other services as needed Provide consultation to other disciplines or units providing care to veterans at high risk for suicide and coordinate with providers regarding appropriate treatment plans Collaboration and consultation with family members and caregivers Documentation of all contacts in CPRS Attend and participate in Suicide Prevention team meetings, MH staff meetings, VISN or national suicide prevention meetings Attend and provide consultation as appropriate to Mental Health and other team meetings (e.g., PTSD Clinic, MH Clinic, outpatient substance use treatment programs, Primary Care Mental Health Integration, Telemental Health, psychiatric inpatient units, psychosocial residential rehabilitation treatment program). In all patient contacts, demonstrate appropriate clinical judgment, skill, and multicultural competence by independently conducting assessments and treatment interventions with a diverse veteran patient population. Utilizes risk assessment, mental status examination, symptom assessment, and other appropriate assessment techniques to formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that adequately addresses veterans' mental health and psychosocial needs. Based on assessment findings, SPCM implements different treatment modalities such as crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, support, validation, problem-solving, coping strategies, etc. to mitigate suicide risk and achieve treatment goals. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Telework: Available, as per VA departmental guidelines and VHA policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD21T26A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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