Career Center

The Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) is focused on the full implementation of VA's National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018) and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (VA/DoD) Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide. 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. 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. (Copies for transcripts must be provided with application) 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. (Copies of License and Certification must be submitted with application) 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). The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal law regarding licensure or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS-0185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection. If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-0185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker. Grade Determinations GS-12 level: Education and Experience - Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 (1) 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 at the GS-12 level must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 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 Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker, available in the local Human Resources Office. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. ["Develops, facilitates, and strengthens Community-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention at the community, state, and VISN levels. Develops community network of unique stakeholders through actively engaging a variety of venues and audiences. Utilizes multimedia campaign materials (e.g., printed articles, brochures, videos) to educate and engage target audiences. Effectively participates in organization's interdisciplinary approach for performance improvement strategies. Disseminates relevant research findings through practice, education, and consultation. Promotes and utilizes evidence-based guidelines at all stages of program development and implementation. Develops and delivers of education and outreach services that encompasses underserved veteran populations and expands SP coalition building in communities in the Facility's geographical catchment area, and may include regional or state events. Develops materials and training programs, in coordination with the SP team members, other facility and VISN stakeholders, and the National OMHSP office/MIRECC for staff and external stakeholders regarding suicide prevention in VHA and the facility. Closely coordinates with Suicide Prevention team members, and other facility and VISN stakeholders and the National OMHSP office to implement SP communication plans, both internal and external to the VA. Disseminates program evaluation and surveillance data related to suicide prevention with community partners Comprehends and maintains knowledge of current VA guidelines, policies, Federal regulations, and laws governing benefits for Veterans. Disseminates relevant research findings through practice, education, and consultation with non-VA community partners as well as other VA health care professionals and administrators. Demonstrates military cultural competence in collaborating with and supporting Veterans and Veteran Service Organizations in the community. Provides leadership with the suicide prevention team in the development and implementation of suicide prevention educational programs and initiatives. Demonstrates effective public speaking skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a variety of audiences with a focus on Suicide prevention. Serves as a SME supporting coalitions and partners by developing and leading new or existing education and outreach initiatives on behalf of the assigned VA Health Care facility and the surrounding catchment area. Provides leadership for coalition management -- leads alignment of community coalition goals with VA goals, collaborates with non-VA coalition leaders (remote or in person), attends coalition meetings (general) and coalition subcommittee meetings, manages and attends coalition sponsored events/public meetings, conducts and/or supports coalition evaluation activities (survey distribution, data collection, key informant interviews, etc.); and leads other coalition activities defined in a coalition action plan. Leads meetings with prospective and existing community stakeholder(s) focused on Veteran suicide prevention Provides a variety of suicide prevention trainings including but not limited to a focus on training in Lethal Means Safety, Mental Health Apps (Hope Box, PTSD, etc.), Military Culture, Other Gatekeeper Training (QPR, ASSIST), Postvention, Safety Planning, S.A.V.E., Suicide Risk Evaluation. Develops and provides suicide prevention related media/marketing, including interviews (print or broadcast), social media postings, and communication campaigns (Paid/PSAs); Develops VHA-community partnerships - meet with prospective community partners and/or establish formal relationships between the VHA and local partners to facilitate suicide prevention in the community Implements VHA Community-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention including collaborating with community, Veteran, and state partners to develop, conduct, and/or support community-based suicide prevention programs as defined and supported by the VHA Suicide Prevention Program; Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm\nCompressed/Flexible: No\nTelework: No\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker - Suicide Prevention Coordinator (Behavioral Health)/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]