Social Worker- Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator

Summary

The Social Worker functions as the Program Coordinator (PC) of the Suicide Prevention Program (SPP), a key clinical program that serves Veterans at risk of suicide across the Battle Creek VAMC healthcare delivery system including its Outpatient Clinics. The SP PC also serves as an advisor to the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health, Mental Health Service Chiefs, facility leadership, program managers and other medical center staff concerning suicide prevention strategies.

Learn more about this agency

Help

Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

03/13/2024 to 03/25/2024

• Salary

$118,289 - $153,780 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 13

• Help

Locations

1 vacancy in the following locations:

• Battle Creek, MI

• Wyoming, MI

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

13

• Job family (Series)

0185 Social Work

• Supervisory status

Yes

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSR-12350345-24-AP

• Control number

781430800

Help

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is only open to Current and Permanent employees of the Battle Creek VA medical center and associated CBOCs

Videos

Help

Duties

Program Coordinator Responsibilities:

• Provides broad program management responsibilities of a clinical care team, including leadership in the development, implementation, evaluation, and oversight of a program responsible for highly complex clinical care of Veterans.

• Leads a team that may include social workers, other health care professionals and trainees. The coordinator of this program oversees personnel including GS 12 Social Workers SPC's, CEPC's, COMPACT Act Coordinator).

• Responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of operational policies and procedures with the approval of the affiliated Program Manager and/or Service Chief.

• Conducts ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects that monitor the effectiveness of clinical operations.

• Monitors adherence with standards for key Performance Metrics.

• Responsible for Office of Inspector General (OIG) visits related to compliance with the suicide prevention program requirements and for addressing the Joint Commission Behavioral Health Standards related to suicide risk assessment and management.

• Supports subject matter expert interviews with organizations and committees.

• Responsible for the educational program and training of the Battle Creek VAMC Healthcare Delivery System providers, Veterans, families, and members of the community.

• Organizes and leads team meetings to facilitate case disposition, care management, effective delivery of clinical interventions, and the adherence to administrative demands.

• Plans work to be accomplished by team members, including establishing priorities, timeliness for completion, and necessary adjustments therein.

• Ensures timely access to care of patients assigned to the team, in accordance with local and national policies.

• Provides leadership in hiring of new staff members for the team.

• Resolves conflicts among team members and adjudicates complaints and problems of employees in a timely and effective manner.

• Assumes responsibility for taking appropriate disciplinary actions for employees with performance problems in a timely and effective manner.

• Ensures that appropriate coverage is arranged for patient care responsibilities when staff members are on leave.

• Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs to effectively coordinate services.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Tracking all suicide attempts and patients with serious suicide ideation at each facility.

• Ensuring that the High Risk for Suicide Patient Record Flags are placed when a Veteran is identified as High Risk for Suicide

• Assuring that all Veterans on the facility high risk list are being followed closely by the appropriate provider.

• Following up with Veterans who have contacted the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL).

• Works in collaboration with the Compact Act Coordinator and Community Emergency Department staff

• Following up with Community Hospitals for Veterans that present with suicidal crisis.

• Conducts data interpretation of Suicide Prevention Dashboards per National Suicide Prevention Program requirements.

• Presents to internal stakeholders regarding Suicide Prevention data and outreach events.

• Monitoring and maintaining Program Evaluation and Resource Center and RISK ID dashboards and the clinical care required.

• Monitoring the completion of the safety plan and lethal means reduction for those Veterans who have been identified to potentially pose an increased risk for future suicidal behavior.

• Disseminating, organizing, and placing appropriate referrals to Suicide Prevention Program.

• Maintaining awareness of suicide treatment options and making recommendations to the patient's provider when new options become available.

• Assuring that all Veterans have the VCL contact (24-hour resource number) and ways to get assistance if an immediate crisis should occur.

• Establishing an on-going Gatekeeper Training program with all VHA staff to assure that they are aware of options for Veterans with whom they come in contact during crisis situations.

• Working with community resources such as Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and other community groups to assure that they are aware of how to recognize Veterans at risk for suicide and their options for getting these Veterans assistance.

• Developing and implementing an ongoing education plan for providers, Veterans, families, and members of the community.

• Providing Consultation with the local Vet Center to address intermediate and high-risk Veterans.

• SPCs will participate in training activities and scheduled conference calls as required by the Veterans Integrated Service Network and/or the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders for dissemination of Suicide Prevention education and materials to enhance Suicide Prevention awareness within our catchment area.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00a-4:30p

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Help

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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. Candidates 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. 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 masters of 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. http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/

Grade Determinations for Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-13

Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 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, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a)

• Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility.

• Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive.

• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).

• Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.

• Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action.

• Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.

• Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations.

Assignments:

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At this grade level, social worker program coordinators oversee the administrative and clinical aspects of a major specialty treatment program, such as, but not limited to: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Home-Based Primary Care, Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Caregiver Support Program or Transition and Care Management Program, or a combination of programs located at one facility or multiple divisions of a facility. They are responsible for coordinating interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments, budget, treatment services provided, and admission criteria for the program. The program coordinator may or may not have supervisory responsibilities. They have full responsibility for all phases of service delivery for a major specialty program. The program coordinator is responsible for the program's resource and fiscal management, monitoring control points developing the annual budget, operating within that budget, and accounting for appropriated funds. They are administratively responsible for the programming and operations of the program assigned, develop policies and procedures for program operation, and prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. Program coordinators provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned staff. They initiate and conduct program or service audits and complete designated clinical practice

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39, Qualification Standards for Social Workers.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Read more

• Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Applicants with at least 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 in a Suicide prevention program will be considered the most qualified.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.