Social Worker-Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Application
Details
Posted: 07-Jan-23
Location: Boise, Idaho
Salary: Open
Categories:
Mental Health/Social Services
Internal Number: 698225700
The Social Work Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) coordinates the major specialty Suicide Prevention Program and facilitates implementation of suicide prevention strategies at the Boise VA Medical Center, Community Based Outpatient Clinics and throughout the catchment area. 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. Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidates may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. Licensure/Certification: Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility. Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action. Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations. Preferred Experience: Supervisory/administrative experience; Ability to analyze data and experience with performance improvement; Ability to work well in a stressful environment; Experience in crisis management; Experience working with clients diagnosed with mental health issues; Minimum of 2 years post advanced Social Work license and ability to supervise LCSW candidates. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. 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. ["Duties include but are not limited to the following: Supervises the tracking and monitoring of no-show appointments by patients and ensures follow-up with the patient as soon as possible to reschedule the appointment. Takes the lead in suicide prevention program development with Behavioral Health Service and Facility Leadership, in coordination with VACO and VISN 20. As the facility subject matter expert, is the primary point of contact and leads out on all matters pertaining to suicide prevention for Boise VAMC executive leadership, the Tetrad, VISN 20 MH leasers and Office of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention at VA Central Office. Oversees participation in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) processes and resultant recommendations for system improvements, as they relate to Suicide Prevention initiatives. Communicates and ensures resolution of suicide prevention issues in a clear, concise, and engaging manner orally and in writing through issue briefs, congressional responses, White House Inquiries, and Director's Office requests. - Provides appropriate and evidence-informed training in Suicide Prevention initiatives, risk factors, warning signs, treatment options, assessment strategies, and educational resources to clinical and non-clinical staff, as well as VA Community Partners and across the Boise VAMC catchment. - Assures that Suicide Prevention clinical notes from staff contain timely, accurate and relevant clinical information. Facilitates Suicide Prevention Hotline response, high risk flag for suicidality referral, triage, and placement as well as revision of Boise VAMC Policies pertaining to Suicide Prevention as needed and appropriate. Tracks all suicide attempts and patients with serious suicide ideation at each facility. Disseminates, organizes, and, where possible, conducts evidence-based and promising, emerging interventions. Makes recommendations for referral of repeat attempters to a Home Tele-health program using the Depression or PTSD dialogues, as appropriate. Maintains awareness of suicide treatment options and making recommendations to the patient's provider when new options become available. Obtains any relevant HIPAA clearances to allow transmittal of facility data on suicide attempts and individuals at risk for trending and quality assurance purposes; and transmitting the data following cyber security requirements as applicable for this sensitive data. Coordinates the conduct of regularly scheduled environmental scans on inpatient psychiatric units to identify elements of the architecture or care processes that may lead to suicidal behavior, and follow-up as needed. Establishes an on-going Gatekeeper Training program with non-clinical frontline staff such as clerks and telephone operators to assure that they are aware of options for patients with whom they come in contact during crisis situations. Works with community resources such as 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. Acts as the point of contact for Vet Centers to consult and refer high risk Veterans, coordinates the provision of mental health and medical services at the VAMC for these referred Veterans, works closely with Vet Center staff to provide training and assists with the utilization of evidence-based and nationally mandated risk assessments and SP safety plans. Develops and implements an ongoing education plan for providers, veterans, families, and members of the community on risk factors and warning signs for suicide, and treatment options. SPCs participate in training activities and scheduled conference calls as required by the Office of Mental Health Service. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Available for highly qualified candidates. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.