Social Worker (Suicide Prevention Coordinator)

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: Must 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. License: 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 SW Licensure Summary by State. In addition to the above license, social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Program Coordinator) GS-12: Experience and Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 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. Some examples of specialized experience may include: 1) Advanced knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. 2) Skilled administrator of structured interviews and assessments, 3) Knowledge of program oversight procedures, program evaluation, and program corrective method, 4) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the profession, demonstrating innovation in the creation of new models of adult education techniques for informing and assisting patients and families to participate in treatment and follow through with established treatment objectives or plans, and 5) Knowledge of state and federal reporting requirements for child and elder abuse, endangerment of handicapped or disabled persons, domestic violence, and deficiencies in the operations of licensed community facilities. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending, and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies.
This position is located in the Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC). The BHC provides ambulatory care services to substance abusing and emotionally ill male and female Veterans and their significant others. In addition to substance abuse, a significant number of these patients have concurrent psychiatric disorders, personality disorder, medical conditions and multiple psychosocial stressors.