NOTE: These positions involve a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-9 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence.  You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

These positions are located at the Veterans Crisis Line on the campus of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Canandaigua, New York. The Health Science Specialist – Crisis Hotline Responder works within the National Veterans Crisis Line Program to assist in the delivery of evidenced based practice for Veterans who need assistance. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Implements suicide/mental health crisis prevention strategies
• Provides support for the identification of Veterans at high risk and coordinates enhanced care
• Conducts interviews and utilizes assessments tools to assess emotional, functional, and/or psychological conditions
• Completes structured diagnostic and clinical assessments
• Prepares and maintains records and reports in accordance with program guidelines
• Creates and maintains forms, surveys, instruments, and materials for proper coordination of the different treatment modules
• Provides psycho-education and directs advice regarding suicide/mental illness crisis
• Works collaboratively with other members of the VA Crisis Hotline Program to identify appropriate services to Veterans in crisis
• Assists Veterans and their family/friend/significant other with issues regarding the Veteran's mental health issues, referrals, benefits, support groups

Work Schedule: Varied work schedule to include evenings, night shifts, weekends and holidays.
Position Description Title/PD#:  Health Science specialist (Suicide Hotline Responder) GS-0601-09 #7891
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.  Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US citizen to apply for this job
• Selectees are subject to fingerprint and background investigation.
• Selectees may be subject to a one-year probationary/trial period.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• All requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
• Must complete Pathways participant agreement
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or 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 Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.  For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all the requirements by Monday, July 17, 2017

The Pathways Recent Graduates Program provides developmental opportunities for participants to be non-competitively converted to a permanent career-conditional or term position once the recent graduate completes all requirements of the program.

• Recent Graduates are on a trial period for the duration of the program.
• Recent Graduates appointment may be extended for an additional 120 days. If selectee is not converted on the date of their service requirement, or at the end of the 120 day extension, the appointment will be terminated.
• Students MUST submit transcripts with conferred or degree earned date (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). If selected, official transcripts will be required.
• This announcement is only open to individuals that have received at least a two (2) year degree, such as Associates Degree, in the last two years.
• An Individual Development Plan (IDP) will be completed within 45 days of appointment to track the Recent Graduates' career planning, professional development, and training activities.
• Selectee will be required to sign Recent Graduates Participant Agreement.
• Within the first year of employment, the incumbent will be provided a minimum of 40 formal hours of training.
• The incumbent will be assigned a mentor within 90 days of appointment.

Conversion to a Permanent career conditional or Term position is not guaranteed, however, in order to be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, Recent Graduates must:

• Successfully complete at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program.
• Demonstrate successful job performance.
• Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS have been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening, but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor.
The quality ranking factors for this position are:

1. Experience providing supportive counseling to those actively experiencing crisis situations.

All applicants must meet the BASIC REQUIREMENT: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in a major study in an academic field related to the health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of a Health Science Specialist - Crisis Hotline Responder. To be appropriate to the work of the position, the program and coursework must focus heavily on psychology, mental health, counseling, and/or the provision of social services. NOTE: You must submit copies of transcripts with your application. Education will not be credited without documentation showing degree completion/confer date.

In addition to the Basic Requirement you must also meet the Specialized Experienced requirement:
GS-09 EXPERIENCE: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience (equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal service) that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Health Science Specialist – Crisis Hotline Responder, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position.

Specialized experience includes:

• providing instructions and/or counseling to clients;
• utilizing questionnaires for interviewing patients;
• assessing and recognizing mental health disorders;
• following established procedures to conduct initial screenings of individuals by gathering social, drug, family, and military history, and reason for contact;
• documenting work.

At this level, work may have been performed under direct supervision.

-OR EDUCATION: You must have successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in a field related to the work of a Health Science Specialist – Crisis Hotline Responder. This education must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Copies of transcripts are required at the time of application.

-ORCOMBINATION: You must have an equivalent combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above. This education and experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of a Health Science Specialist – Crisis Hotline Responder. Copies of transcripts are required at the time of application.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

You will be rated on the following competency factors base upon your application for this position:

1. Interpersonal Skills
2. Oral Communication
3. Psychology
4. Stress Tolerance
5. Influencing/Negotiating
6. Technology Application

If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.