Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - Suicide Prevention

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) serves to facilitate implementation of suicide prevention strategies at the local level through education, monitoring and coordination activities. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating the care for Veterans who are at a heightened risk for suicide and tracks those Veterans who have attempted suicide. The SPC also functions as an advisor to the Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Director of Mental Health and Behavioral Health, Social Work Service, facility leadership, program managers, and staff concerning suicide prevention strategies at the individual patient level, and for the facility and Veteran's community as a whole. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) is responsible for the provision of individual case management and clinical services for veterans deemed to be at high risk for suicidal behavior. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator serves to coordinate and monitor services for Veterans designated as high risk for suicide and acts as the transitional coordinator of care for these patients. The determination of risk level is based on clinical evaluation and assessment of the Veteran by an appropriate mental health provider. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is responsible for coordinating care of high-risk Veterans who receive care throughout the Medical Center, CBOCs, Veteran Resource and Readjustment Counseling Centers (Vet Centers), and community agencies. The SPC works collaboratively with other treatment team members, professionals, para- professionals, and others at the Medical Center and community agencies to assist the Veterans in managing their mental health problems, psychosocial needs, and identifying barriers to receiving continued treatment and mitigating risk factors related to suicide. The SPC plans, develops, implements, and oversees all components of the facility's Suicide Prevention Program. Tracking all suicide attempts, deaths and preparatory behavior through the use of the Suicide Behavior and Overdose Report. Provide comprehensive case management by ensuring all Veterans identified as high-risk for suicide receive follow-up mental health care as required, coordinating services as needed. Provides crisis intervention, suicide risk assessments and safety planning for Veterans via telephone, VVC or face-to-face. Complete behavioral health autopsies, issue briefs and heads up notifications as required by the office of suicide prevention. Disseminating, organizing, and where possible, conducting evidence-based and promising, emerging interventions for suicide prevention. Assures that all Veterans have a 24-hour resource number to call for assistance in a crisis. Works with community resources such as Veteran service organizations 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. Responds to suicide prevention hotline/988 requests, interfacility consults and phone inquiries from VA staff and community stakeholders to address needs of at-risk Veterans. Participates in monthly outreach events in the community. Many of these events occur on holidays, weekends and evenings. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Must possess a valid state issued driver's license.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and 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.
• Must possess the ability to operate and perform preventive maintenance.
• Be able to respond to emergency situations when on the road (traffic accident, damage to property, damage to equipment, injury to self or someone else, vehicle breakdown).
• Must perform operator level maintenance of vehicles that includes, but is not limited to, getting gas, monitoring fluid levels, washing the vehicle, checking tire pressure, interior and exterior lights, and documenting any damage or unusual wear on the vehicle or its components.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working in crisis management and/or Suicide Prevention.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate implementation of suicide prevention strategies at the local level through education, monitoring and coordination activities.
• Coordinate the care for Veterans who are at a heightened risk for suicide and track those Veterans who have attempted suicide.
• Function as an advisor to the Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Director of Mental Health and Behavioral Health, Social Work Service, facility leadership, program managers, and staff concerning suicide prevention strategies.
• Provide individual case management and clinical services for veterans deemed to be at high risk for suicidal behavior.
• Coordinate and monitor services for Veterans designated as high risk for suicide and act as the transitional coordinator of care for these patients.
• Coordinate care of high-risk Veterans who receive care throughout the Medical Center, CBOCs, Veteran Resource and Readjustment Counseling Centers (Vet Centers), and community agencies.
• Work collaboratively with other treatment team members, professionals, para-professionals, and others at the Medical Center and community agencies to assist the Veterans in managing their mental health problems, psychosocial needs, and identifying barriers to receiving continued treatment and mitigating risk factors related to suicide.
• Plan, develop, implement, and oversee all components of the facility's Suicide Prevention Program.
• Track all suicide attempts, deaths and preparatory behavior through the use of the Suicide Behavior and Overdose Report.
• Ensure all Veterans identified as high-risk for suicide receive follow-up mental health care as required, coordinating services as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention, suicide risk assessments and safety planning for Veterans via telephone, VVC or face-to-face.
• Complete behavioral health autopsies, issue briefs and heads up notifications as required by the office of suicide prevention.
• Disseminate, organize, and where possible, conduct evidence-based and promising, emerging interventions for suicide prevention.
• Assure that all Veterans have a 24-hour resource number to call for assistance in a crisis.
• Work with community resources such as Veteran service organizations 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.
• Respond to suicide prevention hotline/988 requests, interfacility consults and phone inquiries from VA staff and community stakeholders to address needs of at-risk Veterans.
• Participate in monthly outreach events in the community.
• Operate gas powered/electric passenger vehicles in order to provide Veteran care in the community.
• Perform operator level maintenance of vehicles that includes, but is not limited to, getting gas, monitoring fluid levels, washing the vehicle, checking tire pressure, interior and exterior lights, and documenting any damage or unusual wear on the vehicle or its components.
• Travel to the Northwest Metro CBOC in Ramsey, MN as needed with a planned expectation of 2-3 days per week.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level