The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) is a master's prepared Social Worker with responsibility of managing the facilities Suicide Prevention program. The SPC facilitates efficient and appropriate delivery Mental Health Services across episodes of care with the Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Centers (CBOC) The SPC will report directly to the Supervisory Social Worker under the care of the Associate Chief of Staff.

Duties

This includes but is not limited to: Provide Direct clinical care and carry small caseload Responsible for tracking and reporting all suicide attempts and completions at their facility, including the submission of a monthly report to the Suicide Prevention Program Supervisor. Exclusively controls the Category II 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. Maintains the list of patients who have a Category II Patient Red Flag for suicide and reviews the list at least every 90 days. Participates in the aggregate suicide Root Cause Analyses (RCA's). Participates in individual RCA's concerning patients who have attempted or committed suicide. Establishes relationships with local and state suicide prevention organizations, local crisis line organizations, and local Veteran Service Organizations (VSO's) Responsible for overseeing daily job duties of Suicide Prevention Case Managers. Provides follow up on consults (within 24 business hours) received from the VA Suicide hotline to assure timely access to care and follow up for patients in crisis. When an appointment is needed, and when possible, the SPC should meet the veteran at the door to make sure they are seen and evaluated in a timely manner Monitor contact is made with veterans who have identified as surviving an attempt or who are identified as being high risk. Monitor continued contact and monitoring with veterans that have been identified as high-risk for suicide to assure continued care and treatment. Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSA's below: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required. The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020. It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Altoona VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans, family members, representatives of community health, welfare and law enforcement agencies.

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 Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Boulevard Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 US
• Name: Lisa Clinton
• Phone: 302-668-4371
• Email: [email protected]