Social Worker (Suicide Prevention Case Manager) Job in Salisbury, NC

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

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

Duties

• Responsible for data collection, administrative record keeping, and monitoring patient or program clinical indicators, thresholds, and performance measurements
• Works closely with the VA medical center's mental health programs, Health Care Centers (HCC's), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's), homeless programs, residential and community care programs, and domiciliary programs to ensure that coordination between these entities is facilitated and Veterans direct care, referral, and follow up is contiguous and based on a continuum of services
• Provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an advanced practice level for eligible veterans and their family members in the program
• Interviews veterans, families, and other significant contacts
• Uses interviews to establish facts about the veteran's condition, the environment, available support, eligibility, and impact of circumstances on the veteran and recommends or makes referral to appropriate program(s) or directs veteran to appropriate community resources
• Conducts suicide risk assessments with veterans which involve identification of known suicide risk factors, warning signs, psychosocial stressors, and protective factors
• Based on information gathered through suicide risk assessment, makes clinical judgments regarding level of assessed suicide risk and determines appropriate plan of care that is consistent with the level of assessed risk
• Provides counseling to the patient, caregiver(s), family members, and/or significant others assisting them in coping with the psychosocial stress related to illness and other stressors
• Provides clinical/therapeutic intervention and individual or family counseling.
• Makes initial and continuing decisions coordinating the veteran's care through linking and referral to VA medical facilities or Regional Offices and other VA and non-VA services and provides independent consultation and makes recommendation to the interdisciplinary team on course of action
• Assures that all veterans assigned to the facility high risk monitoring list are being followed for a time-period not less than 90 days following hospitalization, or 90 days from the date of assignment to the high-risk list
• During the high-risk monitoring period, the case manager is responsible for conducting or coordinating face to face and/or telephone contact with the veteran to assess their safety and ongoing compliance with treatment
• Tracks any no- show appointments by high risk patients and assists as needed with follow-up
• Assures that all high-risk patients have completed a Safety Plan which documents crisis intervention strategies the veteran can use to remain safe
• With the patient's consent, contacts family members and/or other identified supports to provide education and involve in the patient's treatment and safety planning
• Collaborates with the primary therapist to oversee the transition of care to assure that appropriate mental health follow up is in place
• Responds to consults from the National Veteran Suicide Hotline, assuring that consults are completed and appropriate follow up is made within one business day
• Initiates emergency interventions appropriate to situations
• Responds to requests from VA staff as well as veteran and/or family members regarding problem/situation resolution
• Responsible for contacting the primary therapist for veterans identified as being high risk for suicide to coordinate monitoring activities, tracking appointments and coordinating enhanced care as needed
• Maintains awareness of suicide treatment options and makes recommendations to the patient's provider when new options become available
• Assists Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) with provision of ongoing SAVE Training where required or requested
• Along with the Suicide Prevention Coordinator, conducts outreach to community resources such as Veteran Service Organizations (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
• Establishes a continuing relationship with the veteran, evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate
• Makes recommendations for care and changes to interdisciplinary treatment plan
• Documents independently in the medical records utilizing paper and/or electronic formats, diagnostics, treatment, progress notes, follow up and referral
• Responsible for assuring timely and accurate documentation, using appropriate notes and templates as defined within the facility Suicide Prevention Program as well as mental health
• Performs other directly-related duties as assigned

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 probationary 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.
• 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 07/07/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12754301.

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.