About Job

The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) is an advanced practice social worker assigned. The incumbent's primary responsibility is to provide evidence based clinical services (assessment, treatment planning and therapy), program development, Veteran and staff education; outreach; continuous quality improvement activities; and evaluation/consultation.

Develops and implements the Suicide Prevention Program at their location and ensures compliance and collaboration with local facility, VISN and VA Central Office initiatives as appropriate for after Suicide Prevention
Assesses the needs of the population served to determine treatment needs and programs to be developed
Develops programming to address the needs of the Veteran population considering local needs, VISN needs and VA direction such as the Uniform Services Handbook
Coordinates ongoing evaluation to ensure effective treatment using best practices
Identifies unmet needs and works collaboratively with facility, VISN and VA Central Office staff to develop and implement solutions
Identifies gaps in services and develops a plan, in consultation with facility staff that will make available the best possible resources in meeting program needs
Establishes processes, establishes oversight responsibilities, and maintains a record-keeping system for the program
Administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to Veterans and families in coordination with the overall goals of the medical center and those of the VISN and VA Central Office
Develops and maintains information systems to track program activities
Develops, implements, and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services and resources across all sites of care
Develops policy and procedures to ensure compliance with the Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and other accrediting bodies and regulatory standards as needed
Provides training to staff regarding services offered in the Suicide Prevention program
The SPC prepares, plans and advises the Suicide Prevention Program manager of anticipated changes in workload, staffing needs, and program developments
Develops and monitors efficiency and effectiveness of Suicide Prevention Program at their assigned location, evaluation evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate
Makes recommendations for program development utilizing systems redesign principles
Oversees the Suicide Prevention Case Manager(s) (SPCM), including monitoring their caseload and the advocacy services provided to high risk for suicide Veterans in their caseload(s)
Provides follow up on consults (within 24 business hours) received from the Veterans Crisis Line to assure timely access to care and follow-up for patients in crisis
Assures that all Veterans on the facility high risk for suicide list are being followed closely by the appropriate provider on a regular basis as determined by the coordinator and the provider
Tracks any no-show appointments by these Veterans and following up with the Veteran as soon as possible to reschedule the appointment
Ensures continued contact and monitoring with Veterans that have been identified as high risk for suicide to assure continuity of enhanced level of care
Ensures all Veterans identified as high risk for suicide is afforded the opportunity to complete a Safety Plan that is documented in CPRS and that the Veteran is provided with a copy of their Safety Plan
Ensures that patients identified as being at high risk for suicide receive follow-up for any missed mental health and substance abuse appointments in conjunction with the clinical treatment team, and that this follow-up is documented in the electronic medical record
Responsible for submission of Behavioral Autopsy reports on completed suicides and for contacting family members of Veterans who completed suicide to obtain agreement for contact with national SP staff to complete the Family Interview component of Behavioral Autopsy as assigned
Advocates on behalf of Veterans at risk for suicide to ensure that services are obtained in a timely manner and in keeping with the VA's goal for excellence in customer service

Work Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm
Telework: Ad-hoc
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a trial period.
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.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
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 notbe substituted for the master's degree in social work
Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)

Grade Determination
GS-12: Must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, in which the experience demonstrates a possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:
(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.

Licensure/Certification: Must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

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

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: .

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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 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.

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Advanced Social Work License
Resume
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Advanced Social Work License
Resume
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/08/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click .

To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

Reginald Young

Phone
Email
Address: .

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.