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The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is an advanced practice social worker who practices in the VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (VAECHCS). This position is assigned to the Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center, in Aurora, CO. The incumbent provides direct patient care services to a very high risk population and manages the daily operation of the program. 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. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States 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 Master of Social Work. Licensure. Senior Social Workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed. Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as Senior Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Education and Experience. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. The full performance level of this position is a GS-12. Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands for the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have a good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken or written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. Must be able to operate a government motor vehicle. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G39. Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-185. ["Clinical Responsibilities 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. Presents informed reports or educates multi-disciplinary teams on the use of newly proven or evidence based intervention techniques. 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, Poly-trauma 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. Consultation and Coordinator Responsibilities Tracking all suicide attempts and patients with serious suicide ideation through the use of the suicide assessment and screening tools used at ECHCS. Assure that all veterans on the High Risk Flag within the facility 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 by these patients and following up with the patient as soon as possible to reschedule the appointment. Disseminating, organizing, and where possible, conducting evidence-based and promising, emerging interventions. Maintaining awareness of suicide treatment options and making recommendations to the patient's provider when new options become available. Assuring compliance with Joint Commission standards related to suicide prevention. Assists in the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of suicide prevention programming. Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs to effectively coordinate services. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Establishing 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53864-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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