Senior Social Worker Job in Aurora, CO

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

Clinical Responsibilities
- Has at least two years of specialized experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment.
- Must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level. Provides a full range of mental health services utilizing appropriate evaluations and structured interviews, generates reports, and provides expert consultation to other disciplines or units providing care oriented to veterans at high risk for suicide.
- Independently coordinate and monitor services for Veterans designated as "High Risk for Suicide", and act as the transitional coordinator of care for these patients throughout a period of the most acute risk. They manage the High-Risk Flags and ensure all local and national standards and best practices are met by all services and providers involved in the care of high risk Veterans.
- Assesses the psychosocial, environmental needs, barriers to recovery, or exacerbated psychiatric problems which might contribute to the risk of suicide. The incumbent establishes and maintains a supportive relationship with the veteran, family, and/or significant others, if appropriate, and works with treatment providers to formulate treatment goals and assists in the development of a structured continuum of care for each case assigned.
- Provides a full range of patient care interventions, including individual, family, and group therapy, as well as specialized interventions such as behavior management consultations and systems or environmental interventions.
- Presents informed reports or educates multi-disciplinary teams on the use of newly proven or evidence-based intervention techniques. When appropriate, uses newly proven or experimental techniques.
- Attempts to stay current with assessment and therapy techniques by reviewing and/or participating in research; and by promoting, initiating, assisting or engaging in program evaluation and/or other basic and applied research activities.

Advanced clinical skills in Suicide Risk Assessment and Interventions.
- Significant knowledge of research in the area of Suicidology pertaining to demographics, risk factors and protective factors.
- Detailed knowledge of Substance Abuse problems, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Polytrauma and Chronic Pain Syndromes since they often exist/co-exist in patients at risk for suicide.
- Skill in relating constructively with members of an interdisciplinary team and experience working as a therapist with veterans and family members.
- Skill in working with local agencies and community resources to coordinate long-term objectives as necessary.
- Familiarity with clinical and administrative principles related to VA Systems.
- Basic data entry and retrieval
- Will adhere to NASW Code of Ethics.
- Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients.
- Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures. Complex Care Management and Consultation Responsibilities (1) Interfaces with Psychiatric Inpatient Unit and other specialty programs to determine acuity of Veterans at risk for suicide, providing subject matter consultation regarding risk mitigation, aftercare and complex care management for high-risk Veterans discharged from inpatient status following national guidelines.
(2) Follows national guidelines while independently maintaining a caseload of high-risk Veterans with complex clinical needs and providing comprehensive care management for Veterans entering a period of acute risk.
(3) Facilitation of complex care management and risk mitigation interventions for high-risk Veterans recently discharged from the Emergency Department through the program known as SPED.
(4) Assisting with program oversight, on-going facilitation of complex care management of high-risk Veterans identified through the predictive analytics program known as REACH VET independently reviewing medical record, determining case assignments, providing subject matter consultation, risk mitigations and enhanced care interventions.
(5) Provide evidenced-based care and subject matter consultation to providers, community, and family members impacted by suicide loss as part of the Suicide Postvention Program.
Responds to Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) referrals per national guidelines and internal facility referrals regarding suicidal Veterans or other related crisis with application of independent clinical determinations for risk mitigation and expedition of crisis interventions.
Other duties assigned to the medical center

Work Schedule: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Telework: Ad hoc telework may be authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 554-58023-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

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 09/26/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12805164.

1. 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.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.