This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) functions as the coordinator of care for Veterans at suicide risk and as an advisor to the Chief of Mental Health Services, facility leadership, program managers and other medical center staff concerning suicide prevention strategies for individual Veterans, for the facility and for the Veteran community as a whole. Major duties and responsibilities include: Tracking and reporting all Veteran suicide attempts and completions within the facility's catchment area, including the submission of a monthly report to the National Suicide Prevention Coordinator Maintaining a facility "high-risk" list which identifies Veterans who have been deemed at-risk for suicide, per their consultation with clinicians. Assessing the risk of suicide in individual Veterans in conjunction with the treating clinician and managing the Category II Patient Record Flag for Veterans at high risk for suicide. Exclusively controlling the Category II Patient Record Flag as it relates to suicide and limits its use to Veterans who meet the criteria of being placed on the facility high risk list. Maintaining the list of Veterans who have a Category II Patient Record Flag for suicide and reviewing these Veteran's records at least every 90 days to determine the continuation or discontinuation of the Flag. Ensuring that Veterans identified as being at high risk for suicide receive follow-up contact for any missed mental health and substance abuse appointments in conjunction with the clinical treatment team, and that this follow-up is documented in the electronic medical record. On-going collaboration with Suicide Prevention Specialists as well as other national SPCs to ensure continuing contact with and monitoring of those Veterans that have been identified as high-risk for suicide to assure on-going care and treatment. Following up on consults (within 24 business hours) received from the VA Suicide Hotline to assure timely access to care and follow-up for Veterans in crisis. When an appointment is needed, and when possible, the SPC meets the Veteran at the door to make sure they are seen and evaluated in a timely manner. The SPC assists with and expedites Veteran enrollment into the VA as needed. Following up on referrals received from staff as a result of the Operation S.A.V.E. training. Facilitating other training programs at the site by request of the facility. Facilitating the community version of Operation S.A.V.E. training to community organizations that have contact with Veterans. Facilitating community outreach activities every month to assist with suicide prevention and awareness. Building relationships with local and state suicide prevention organizations, local crisis line organizations, and local Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). Developing partnerships with VA program coordinators, managers and other community organizations. This partnership is to assure that Veterans are assessed and evaluated for suicide risk as appropriate and preventative interventions are in place. Facilitating staff and Veteran education during Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week, which is usually the second week in September of each year. Educational activities include displays and exhibits regarding suicide prevention and securing appropriate speakers. Acting as a resource for both the VA facility and community related to Veteran suicide and suicide prevention issues. Facilitating and completing the yearly Suicide Aggregate Review and participating in individual Root Cause Analyses (RCAs) concerning Veterans who have attempted or completed suicide. Participating in the Mental Health Environment of Care (EOC) Committee. The SPC assists the Mental Health EOC Safety Survey team in determining actions that should be taken to improve the mental health inpatient environment. Disseminating, organizing, and where possible, conducting evidence-based and promising, emerging intervention. Maintaining awareness of suicide treatment options by attending conferences and staying abreast of current research on issues relating to suicide, so as to make recommendations to the Veteran's treatment team when new options become available. Obtaining any relevant HIPAA clearances to allow transmittal of facility data on suicide attempts and individuals at risk to the VISN 19 MIRECC for trending and quality assurance purposes; and transmitting the data following cyber security requirements as applicable for this sensitive data. SPCs participate in training activities and scheduled conference calls as required by the Office of Mental Health Services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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 the CSWE website (https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation.aspx) to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. 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: GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator): Experience/Education. The candidate must have at least 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, candidates 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. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. It occasionally requires carrying of light objects such as files, books, and papers. Some walking, standing , and bending is required. No special physical qualifications are required

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Northern Indiana HCS 1700 East 38th Street Marion, IN 46953 US
• Name: Katrina Majors
• Phone: 443-421-5813
• Email: [email protected]