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Social Worker (VISN 5 Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Mar 7, 2021
Duties

Summary

The VISN 5 Network is a system of six VA health care facilities and a number of community-based outpatient clinics located in Maryland, Washington DC, West Virginia, and Virginia. The Social Worker has direct responsibility to the Chief Mental Health Officer and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and serves as the VISN 5 Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator for the VISN.

VIRTUAL: THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

POSITION: SOCIAL WORKER (Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator) GS-0185-13

The incumbent provides leadership with authoritative and objectively based information for making decisions on all programmatic aspects of the Suicide Prevention programs, including the launch and implementation of Community Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention, and the Reach Vet programs. He/she will work to coordinate efforts of facility suicide prevention staff with those of the Community Engagement and Partnership Staff (CEPC), ensure appropriate outreach coverage for all communities within VISN 5 and ensure that efforts between the clinical and community based staff are integrated, coordinated, and consistent with the national Suicide Prevention model. The incumbent has the full responsibility for the comprehensive monitoring of the planning, coordination, and implementation of all aspects of the suicide prevention program within VISN 5.

The incumbent serves as the Network Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator Program working closely with the Office of Mental Health Operations and Suicide Prevention (OMHOSP), facility Suicide Prevention Program Managers (SPCs), facility executive leaders, and facility Mental Health Chiefs. The incumbent will partner with state officials and various stakeholders within the suicide prevention community. He/she will actively participate in the Governor's Challenges within VISN 5 and other highly visible, key stakeholder events.

MAJOR DUTIES:
  • Operate in a program manager capacity to VISN 5 in the planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of suicide prevention goals and objectives.
  • Responsible for ensuring facility Suicide Prevention specific policies and standard operating procedures are in line with national directives and established best practices. Seeks to identify and implement new best practices.
  • Develops and oversees the CEPC program and works closely with VA and community resources such as Governors Challenge, VSO's and other community groups to assure that they are aware of how to recognize Veterans at risk for suicide and their options for getting assistance.
  • Promote and support suicide prevention services within VISN 5 by educating, mentoring, consulting and collaborating with a cross-section of providers and staff.
  • Ensure that suicide prevention programs are established and flourishing within the areas of responsibility of the VISN and monitor the progress of all programs.
  • Performs analytical, evaluative, planning and advisory functions related to initiatives and directives for suicide prevention programs.
  • Utilizes technology and data to enhance processes and decision making. Reviews/monitors facility performance on all Suicide Prevention metrics for the six VISN 5 medical centers, utilizing national dashboards and reports.
  • Provides the VISN, national program offices and executive leaders with reports, evaluated information, budgetary proposals and similar products necessary for effective direction of program operations
  • Provides quarterly updates or more frequently if indicated/requested to the ICCs, HDC and other government structures
  • Develop recommendations for improvements in program operations and to promote efficiency and cost savings.
  • Provide effective guidance to OMHOSP, facility suicide prevention coordinators, mental health leadership and executive leaders in implementing strategies and ensures national offices are kept apprised of program progress and obstacles.
  • Advises Network, OMHOSP Program Office, and executive leadership teams of unique conditions and issues which affect program activities and provides guidance on interpretation and implementation of new and revised legislation, policies, regulations and procedures.
  • Facilitates resolution of any issues identified by facility Suicide Prevention staff regarding the Veterans Crisis Line.
  • Consults/collaborates with providers of high-risk patients for purposes of education and facilitating best practice.
  • Reviews specific cases involving suicide whenever necessary to assure that national requirements were followed and to identify any opportunities for improvement, as needed.
  • Reviews Issue Briefs related to suicidal behavior submitted by VISN5 facilities.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

  • WORK SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (office hrs. schedule to change based on site location requirements)
    TELEWORK: Telework maybe available (According to agency policy)
    VIRTUAL: This is NOT a virtual position
    FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT TITLE/ #: Social Worker (VISN 5 Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator)/PD000000
    RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES: Not authorized
    FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: Not applicable

    Travel Required

    Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

    Supervisory status
    No

    Promotion Potential
    13

    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

    • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
    • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
    • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
    • You may be required to serve a probationary period
    • Subject to a background/security investigation
    • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
    • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process


    Qualifications

    To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/05/2021.

    Basic Requirements:
    • Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
    • Experience: 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.
    • 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 the CSWE website (http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation) to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure. 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. 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB. Information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/. The ASWB is the association of boards that regulates social work.
    • Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
    • English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
    Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below:
    (a) Experience in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility.
    (b) Applicable knowledge in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive.
    (c) Experience in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
    (d) Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.
    (e) 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.
    (f) 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.
    (g) Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations.

    Grade Determinations: At this grade, Social Worker Program Coordinators manage the administrative and clinical aspects of a major specialty treatment program, such as PTSD, Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SAW), Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC), etc., or a combination of programs located at one facility or multiple divisions of a facility. They have responsibility for coordinating interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments, budget, treatment services provided, and admission criteria for the program. They may also supervise employees assigned to the program.

    References: VA Handbook 5005/50, Part II, Appendix G39. Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185 Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

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

    Physical Requirements: Work is administrative and sedentary in nature. Typically, the incumbent sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small pieces of equipment. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. This position requires some travel, both inside and outside the Network.

    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 .

    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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

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

    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.

    Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

    If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

    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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

    NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

    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.

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Other

    Drug test required
    No

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

    Trust determination process
    Suitability/Fitness

    Required Documents

    To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

    • License
    • VA Form 10-2850c
    • Professional Certification
    • Resume
    • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
    • Transcript


    VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .
    REQUIRED: Must submit VA Form 10-2850c with application

    SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action:
    • Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
    • An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
    • Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
    • Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
      • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
      • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
      • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
    The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

    • DD-214/ Statement of Service
    • Disability Letter (VA)
    • License
    • VA Form 10-2850c
    • Professional Certification
    • Resume
    • Separation Notice (RIF)
    • SF-15
    • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
    • Transcript


    Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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