Clarification from the agency

This is an INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT and is limited to current permanent employees of the Central Iowa VA Health Care System to include CBOC's--NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

FUNCTIONS
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) functions as a coordinator of care for veterans at high risk for suicide. Identifies and tracks high-risk patients and monitors treatment to ensure that needed services are received.

Completes consults from the Veteran's Crisis Line by arranging follow-up mental health assessments, treatment, health and safety checks in the home, and if needed follow-up hospitalization and/or outpatient care.

Plays an active role in the (Root Cause Analysis) (RCA) Suicide Team by performing individual case reviews, assisting with preparation of yearly aggregate summaries, and facilitating the implementation of system improvement and policies/ procedural changes recommended by the RCA team. Utilizing specialized suicide prevention knowledge in multidisciplinary teams are required.

Provides training to clinical and non-clinical staff in the Medical Center, CBOC's and community about risk factors, warning signs, treatment options and resources for patients identified to be at risk for suicide.

Establishes an on-going Gatekeeper Training program with non-clinical frontline staff to assure that staff is alert to patients who are at risk for suicide and are aware of options for patients whom they may encounter in crisis situations.

Ability to organize work such as on-going Gatekeeper Training program with non-clinical frontline staff to assure that staff is alert to patients who are at risk for suicide and are aware of options for patients whom they may encounter in crisis situations. Provide orientation, consultation and guidance within the facility promoting the use of specialized practice of suicide prevention.

Promotes the use of evidence-based interventions and strategies for suicide prevention in the medical center. Evaluates program effectiveness through aggregation of data. Collects feedback and creates program improvement based on Veteran need and resources.

Develops and distribute outreach materials to include brochures, fact sheets, web content, and other targeted information which highlights suicide prevention, warning signs and risk factors.

Develops and implements ongoing plans for providers, veterans, families and members of the community on risk factors and warning signs for suicide and treatment options. Develops criteria for facility wide identification of medical record flag system for patients who are at risk for suicide, oversees implementation of monitoring system for these identified patients and monitoring of compliance with treatment plan.

Prepares and maintains administrative records, databases, and reports in accordance with VACO and local guidelines.

Interfaces with services throughout the medical center, including but not limited to medical providers and patient advocate, to resolve administrative and clinical problems. This includes collaboration on individual patients and the coordination of medical care within the treatment team. Provides follow up for Veterans identified at risk due to unexpected discharge when needed. unexpected discharge when needed.

The incumbent will work in multidisciplinary teams internally and externally using their specialized clinical knowledge to improve access for Veterans who are seeking emergent mental health care. Development of systems is key to include policies, procedures and best practices.

RVC serves as an effective team member by demonstrating leadership by carrying out the decisions of the team, adjusting to change or work pressures in a pleasant manner, and engaging in problem solving to resolve conflicts and differences of opinion in a productive, professional manner. The incumbent should be professional with strong organizational skills, effective communication skills and effective interpersonal skills, which should be evidenced in being collaborative with others. RVA will foster a collaborative environment by providing mentorship, supervision (when applicable), and consultation to social work staff and interdisciplinary team members. The RVC will assist with orientation for new employees.

RVC will utilize advanced clinical skills/practice and exhibits sound professional judgment. It requires a close partnership by providing administrative and clinical direction to the program areas in collaboration with the Service Line supervisor, leadership and/or community partners. Participate in VISN and/or national conference calls and communication. Collaborates in the creation and implementation of a strategic plan and/or program goals.

RVC is an active participant, or championing, a performance improvement project, initiative or special assignment.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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 to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations:
Social Worker (Program Coordinator) GS-0185-12
(1) Experience/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.
(2) 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.
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
(b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
(c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
(d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
(e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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

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.