ASHHRA Career Center

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. 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. 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. 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 tohttp://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Different states have different levels of licensure or certification, making it difficult for VHA staff to determine the independent practice level. Each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia completed surveys identifying the level of licensure or certification allowing independent practice. Copies of the surveys are on file in the VHA Office of Care Management and Social Work Services, and a summary spreadsheet of the levels of licensure or certification is available to social work professional standards board members for purposes of determining whether the social worker's level of licensure or certification meets the VHA qualification standards. All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB. Information can be found at https://www.aswb.or.9/. The ASWB is the association of boards that regulates social work. ASWB develops and maintains the social work licensing examination used across the country and is a central resource for information on the legal regulation of social work. The ASWB offers three examinations. The master's examination is generally used by states for the independent practice level of licensure or certification, while the advanced generalist and the clinical examinations are used for the advanced practice level of licensure or certification. Differences between the master's and the advanced exams demonstrate the expectation that advanced practice social workers will have a more sophisticated knowledge of practice theory and its application. Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. 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). 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: 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. Candidates 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. Note: Licenses from the state of Alabama no longer meet VA regulatory requirements for independent licensure. To qualify for the assignment of Social Work Program Coordinator at the GS-13 level, you must also have an active, unrestricted advanced practice license in a U.S. state or territory other than Alabama. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with evidence based treatment Experience working with veterans in crisis and conducting risk assessments At least one (1) year experience with developing and implementing large scale outreach events A minimum of one (1) year experience working with a VA suicide prevention program and VHA policies and directives Experience completing VA Issue Briefs At least one (1) year experience writing press releases and very comfortable providing media interviews References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-0185 Veterans Health Administration September 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. 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. ["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 El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS) 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 El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS). 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 El Paso VA 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 El Paso 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 El Paso VA Healthcare System Policies pertaining to Suicide Prevention as needed and appropriate. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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