Summary

The Finger Lakes Healthcare System has 1 vacancy for a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) in the Bath VA Medical Center. The Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) leads the implementation of VA's public health approach to suicide prevention which encompasses both community-based prevention strategies and clinically-based interventions. CEPC positions focus upon connecting - developing - and coordinating suicide prevention efforts at the VISN - state - and federal level.

Qualifications

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:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part)
• 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 SW Licensure Summary by State
• Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations
• This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level
• For the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certified
• At the time of appointment - the supervisor - chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline
• For appointments at the GS-9 grade level - VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent - master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker
• Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam - and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam
• In states such as California - Washington - and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years - social workers must become licensed at the independent - master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure
• A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record
• 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.org/
• 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
• Failure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases - social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment
• Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• 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
• 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 - GS-12 Experience and 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
• 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: 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
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G39
• Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing - walking - bending - twisting - and carrying light items
• The incumbent operates a government vehicle as part of their job and could be required to transport Veterans in a government vehicle
• A valid state issued driver's license and successful completion of a physical fitness exam for motor vehicle operators by the VA Employee Health Office is required.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include but are not limited to: Develops - facilitates - and strengthens Community-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention at the community - state - and VISN levels
• Connects VA programs and stakeholders including - but not limited to - Veterans - Veteran Service Organizations - congressional staff - media - community business partners - and community members throughout the health care system and VISN catchment areas to conduct community-based interventions and provide outreach and education on suicide prevention related topics and services
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in public health and suicide prevention - supporting partnerships and coalitions by providing new or existing community education and outreach initiatives on behalf of the assigned VA Health Care facility and the surrounding catchment area
• Implements VHA Community-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention including collaborating with community - Veteran - and state partners to develop - conduct - and/or support community-based suicide prevention programs as defined and supported by the VHA Suicide Prevention Program
• Develops VHA-community partnerships - meet with prospective community partners and/or establish formal relationships between the VHA and local partners to facilitate suicide prevention in the community
• Develops and provides suicide prevention related media/marketing - including interviews (print or broadcast) -social media postings - and communication campaigns (Paid/PSAs)
• Provides a variety of suicide prevention trainings including but not limited to a focus on training in Lethal Means Safety - Mental Health Apps (Hope Box - PTSD - etc.) - Military Culture - Other Gatekeeper Training(QPR - ASSIST) - Postvention - Safety Planning - S.A.V.E. - Suicide Risk Evaluation - Whole Health/Wellness Provides leadership for coalition management -- leads alignment of community coalition goals with VA goals - collaborates with non-VA coalition leaders (remote or in person) - attends coalition meetings (general)and coalition subcommittee meetings - manages and attends coalition sponsored events/public meetings - conducts and/or supports coalition evaluation activities (survey distribution - data collection - key informant interviews - etc.)
• and leads other coalition activities defined in a coalition action plan
• Serves as a SME supporting coalitions and partners by developing and leading new or existing education and outreach initiatives on behalf of the assigned VA Health Care facility and the surrounding catchment area
• Demonstrates effective public speaking skills and the ability to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - with a variety of audiences with a focus on suicide prevention
• Provides leadership with the suicide prevention team in the development and implementation of suicide prevention educational programs and initiatives
• Demonstrates military cultural competence in collaborating with and supporting Veterans and Veteran Service Organizations in the community
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships between the VA suicide prevention team and community-based veteran organizations and leadership
• Disseminates relevant research findings through practice - education - and consultation with non-VA community partners as well as other VA health care professionals and administrators
• Comprehends and maintains knowledge of current VA guidelines - policies - Federal regulations - and laws governing benefits for Veterans
• Disseminates program evaluation and surveillance data related to suicide prevention with community partners
• Closely coordinates with Suicide Prevention team members - and other facility and VISN stakeholders and the National OMHSP office to implement SP communication plans - both internal and external to the VA
• Develops materials and training programs - in coordination with the SP team members - other facility and VISN stakeholders - and the National OMHSP office/MIRECC for staff and external stakeholders regarding suicide prevention both internal and external to the facility
• Develops and delivers of education and outreach services that encompasses underserved veteran populations and expands SP coalition building in communities in the geographical catchment area and may include regional or state events
• Develops and maintains content expertise in SP through peer review - networking - internet access - published literature - national conference calls - and educational offerings and professional meetings
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Telework: Not AvailableFunctional Statement #: 21M19A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized