This Senior Social Worker acts as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) for the facility. SPC facilitates the implementation of suicide prevention strategies at a local level through education, monitoring, and coordination activities. The SPC functions as a coordinator for care of veterans at suicide risk and an advisor to Mental Health Leadership, facility leadership, program managers, and staff concerning suicide prevention strategies for individual patients.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Services include assessing veterans for high risk for suicide, diagnosing mental health and high risk factors related to suicide and suicide prevention, and providing treatment options. Tracks appointments and coordinates enhanced care as needed, educating providers, veterans, families, and members of the community about risk factors and warning signs for suicide. Responsible for tracking and reporting all suicide attempts and completions at their facility, including the submission of a monthly report to the National Suicide Prevention Coordinator. Controls the Category I Patient Record Flag as it relates to suicide and limits its use to patients who meet the criteria of being placed on the facility high risk list. Responsible for the input of information into the National data base (SPAN) on all suicides via the Behavioral Health Autopsy Program (BHAP) and Behavioral Health Autopsy Program- Family Interview Protocol (BHAP-FITC). Involved in the Environment of Care (EOC) Safety Survey. The incumbent assists the EOC Safety Survey team in determining actions that should be taken to improve the mental health inpatient environment. Establishes relationships with local and state suicide prevention organizations, local crisis line organizations, and local Veteran Service Organizations (VSO's). Responds to emergencies related to suicide risk and safety for patients flagged as high risk when providers are unable to manage the emergency and request assistance. Responsible for outreach to promote awareness of veteran suicide risk and educate the community regarding recognizing suicide risk among veteran population and how to assist veterans and their families in accessing available resources for support and care. Develops, populates and maintains any technical tools necessary for monitoring, tracking and reporting status to the Suicide Prevention Program Manager. Provides general consultation to providers concerning resources for suicidal individuals, as well as expertise and direction in the areas of system design to prevent suicidal deaths within the medical facility. Capable of practicing at the advanced level and has specialized knowledge of practice typically related to suicide (causes and prevention). Responsive to direction and guidance from the Suicide Prevention Program Manager and coordinates actions and tasks with Suicide Prevention Program team members; these include social worker case managers and administrative program support staff. Able to provide clinical services in serious and complicated cases and carries full professional responsibility for those cases presenting with a wide range of psychosocial and environmental problems. Ability to teach and mentor staff and students in the specialty area of practice and provide clinical supervision for licensure. Work Schedule: 8:00am- 4:30pm, Monday- Friday Telework: Available, 1-2 days per pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00076-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: 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. Grade Determinations: 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 a social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: a. Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. b. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. c. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. d. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). e. Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Preferred Experience: Mental Health Experience References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard dated September 10, 2019. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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 Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Heather Caudill
• Phone: (217) 274-5442
• Email: [email protected]