Social Worker - Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Application
Details
Posted: 20-Jan-23
Location: Walla Walla, Washington
Salary: Open
Categories:
Mental Health/Social Services
Internal Number: 695600500
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) is the sole practitioner for this specialty program assigned to Mental Health Specialty Services. The SPC manages the daily operations of the Suicide Prevention Program, develops policies and procedures for the program operation, and prepares reports and statistics for the facility, VISN and national. 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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 (Program Coordinator), GS-12 Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidate 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: Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Preferred Experience: Preferred 2 years of experience working with individuals experiencing crisis and suicidal ideation preferable within a VA setting References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 II-G39-1 APPENDIX G39. SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0185 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12 Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers; Walking, 2 hours; Standing, 2 hours; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Emotional/Mental Stability; Working outside; Working in excessive cold; Working in dry atmospheric conditions; Working near electrical energy; Working near slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others or alone. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UUThe SPC functions as the program coordinator for the care of veterans at high risk for suicide and an advisor to the Chief of Behavioral Health, the Mental Health Specialty Services Manager, facility leadership, program managers, and staff concerning suicide prevention strategies for individual Veterans, and for the facility and veterans' community as a whole. This is accomplished through: Tracking all suicide attempts and patients with serious suicide ideation for the facility and the community-based outpatient clinics using the Suicide Behavior & Overdose Report Template. Assuring that all veterans on the facility High Risk tracking list are being followed closely by the appropriate provider on a regular basis as determined by the coordinator and the provider. Tracking any no-show appointments with high-risk veterans, facilitating with provider for follow-up calls x3 within 24 hours with the patient, to check on safety and/ or to reschedule appointment. Obtaining any relevant HIPAA clearances to allow transmittal of facility data on suicide attempts and individuals at risk to the Suicide Prevention central office for trending and quality assurance purposes; and transmitting the data following cyber security requirements as applicable for this sensitive data. Assuring that all these patients have the Veterans Crisis Line number to call and ways to get assistance if an immediate crisis should occur. Coordinating with supervisor and /or Program Manager of the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program to conduct regularly scheduled environmental scans on inpatient/ residential psychiatric/ substance abuse units to identify elements of the architecture or care processes that may lead to suicidal behavioral, and follow-up as needed. Establishing an on-going training with non-clinical frontline staff, i.e.: clerks and telephone operators, to assure that they are aware of options for veterans with whom they come in contact during crisis situations. Working with community resources such as Veteran Service Organizations, other community groups and family members to assure that they are aware of how to recognize Veterans at risk for suicide and their options for getting these Veterans assistance. Developing and implementing an ongoing education plan for providers, veterans, families, and members of the community on risk factors and warning signs for suicide, and treatment options. Participating in training activities and scheduled conference calls as required by the Office of Mental Health Services. Participating in on duty-related committees/task forces Manages funds budgeted for suicide prevention activities Manages daily operation of the suicide prevention program Develops policies and procedures for program operation Prepares reports and statistics for the facility, VISN and national Participating in intervention, treatment and coordination of follow through with case worker Providing one-on-one clinical services as assigned. Providing input into practice evaluation process of self and others. Assuming a coordination role and/or serves as a resource to identify policies, procedures, standards, or protocols requiring review or revisions. Making sustained contributions to healthcare by sharing expertise within and/or outside the facility. Sharing expertise with internal and/or external customers to the organization by leading or actively participating in interdisciplinary groups such as committees, taskforces, projects, formal teaching, publishing, or professional activities. Serving as a role model for utilization or appropriate communication and conflict management techniques, effectively guiding and motivating team members. Collaborating with other disciplines and caregivers, using group processes for decision making in interdisciplinary problem solving. Evaluating practice changes related to suicide prevention. Identifying and analyzing potential/actual problems involving resource and/or safety issues. Evaluating options available and selects course of action which will result in the most favorable veteran and/or organizational outcomes. Being available during business hours to respond to suicidal crisis situations. This may include carrying a crisis phone during duty hours to respond to or consult emerging suicidal crisis on station, at the CBOC's and in the community. Provides clinical supervision to Suicide Prevention staff. Provides clinical consultation regarding suicide prevention and provides necessary training to VAWW staff. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 0800 - 1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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.