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. Program 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 Program Coordinator directs the Suicide Prevention Team, Collaborative Care Managers, and Community Engagement Program Coordinators (CEPCs) in Behavioral Health Services. The Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator reports directly to the Assistant Chief for Behavioral Health and ultimately to the Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health (ACOS-BH). The incumbent is responsible for the planning, establishing, and implementing of policies and procedures for the Recovery Programs throughout the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System (STVHCS) and surrounding Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs); supervising staff for assigned program(s); and developing individual or group goals and objectives as well as monitoring, operating, evaluating, coordinating, and overseeing services in assigned program(s) for the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System (STVHCS). The incumbent works collaboratively with the Behavioral Health Service (BHS) leadership and any other agencies or groups as applicable to assure assigned staff adhere to all current directives of VHA, and meet current Joint Commission standards, state licensure standards, and VA-OIG expectations. The incumbent will conduct ongoing intensive reviews and appraisals to ensure the accomplishment of objectives and adherence to standards set by governing and accreditation bodies. The incumbent also provides direct clinical services for a portion of his/her time. i. The incumbent administratively and clinically supervises the Suicide Prevention team which includes the Suicide Prevention Coordinators, Case Managers, Program Support Assistant/management Assistant as well as Community Engagement and Partnership Program Coordinators and Collaborative Care Managers, to identify, track and case manage patients determined to be at high-risk for suicide and monitors their care to assure that needed services are being received by the appropriate mental health treatment team. Assures that Veterans on the facility high risk list are followed by their appropriate provider in compliance with the 90-day protocol for high-risk patients. ii. The incumbent is well versed in Suicide Prevention research and evidence-based practices and risk assessment. iii. The incumbent takes the lead in suicide prevention program development with Mental Health Service and Facility Leadership, in coordination with VACO and VISN 17. iv. The incumbent 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. v. As a seasoned clinician skillful in coaching and mentoring, the incumbent provides appropriate and evidence informed training in Suicide Prevention initiatives risk factors, warning signs, treatment options, and educational resources to clinical and non-clinical staff across VA Community Partners, within the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System, Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs) and in VISN 17. The incumbent assures that Suicide Prevention clinical notes contain timely, accurate and relevant clinical information. vi. As the facility subject matter expert, the incumbent is the primary point of contact and leads out on all matters pertaining to suicide prevention for the South Texas VA Healthcare System executive leadership, VISN 17 and VACO. The incumbent will be the point of contact for Vet Centers to consult and refer high risk Veterans, coordinate the provision of mental health and medical services at the VAMC for these referred Veterans, work closely with Vet Center staff to provide training, and assist with the utilization of risk assessments including safety planning, REACH Vet, STORM, etc. RCA (Root Cause Analysis) processes, annual Aggregated RCA Reviews related to suicide behavior with recommendations for system improvements, and implementation follow-up including those related to facility safety planning, REACH Vet, STORM, and other Suicide Prevention Initiatives are provided. vii. The incumbent facilitates Veteran's Crisis Line response, high risk patient Suicide Behavior and Overdoes Reporting, Level 2 Patient Record Flag management, and revision of South Texas VA Healthcare System Policies pertaining to Suicide Prevention as needed and appropriate. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Education: Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling. CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program. Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/. NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0101 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. The Human Resources Office will provide the unlicensed LPMHC in writing the requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in as LPMHC on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j. 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: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Coordinator), GS-12 Experience, Education, and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must have been in a major specialty treatment program area such as, but not limited to, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mental health intensive case management (MHICM), or other areas of equivalent scope and complexity. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. In depth knowledge of the program coordinated, and demonstrated knowledge and ability to write policies procedures and or practice guidelines for the program. 2. Ability to make key decisions in the hiring and identification of top candidates. 3. Ability to provide leadership in facilitating the process of coordinating program consults, assessments, admissions, care assignments and discharges. 4. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to other colleagues and trainees within the field of counseling working on an interdisciplinary team. Must Also Meet GS-11 KSA's Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings and discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases and confer about the counseling perspectives and orientation. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices. Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 3 year's experience working with a complex and wide range of psychosocial issues related to the practice of mental health care. Senior LPMHC's model professional behaviors and uphold high ethical standards. Experience conducting meetings and possess strong communication skills in writing and orally. Possesses organizational skills, in-depth knowledge of VA policies and procedures and the practice of LPMHC's in the state of Texas. Advanced consultation experience on patient care. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/106, PART II, APPENDIX G43. LICENSED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0183. 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: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Education

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

Accreditation Information: The master's or doctoral degree must be fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/.

Note: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CACREP website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]