The Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator (CEPC) serves in a leadership role within their facility by working to create and support meaningful coalitions to work toward ending Veteran suicide. Stakeholders involved in these coalitions represent local government, public and private agencies, VSOs, health care providers, VA clinicians, VA Suicide Prevention Programs and the VISN MH leadership.
Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: 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 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 tohttp://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. Social Worker (Program Coordinator), 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. Indiana requires Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW 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 fort he 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: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the position involve standard office requirements such as using the telephone, retrieving files, writing reports, data entry and maintenance of computer databases, etc. Work is typically performed sitting at a desk and using a computer. This position may require occasional travel. The position requires periods of walking, standing, sitting and bending. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services Whole Health Statement: VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
FUNCTIONS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE Education, Technical Assistance, and Coalition Building The incumbent serves as the Senior Social Worker/CEPC (Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator) for a VISN 10 facility, reporting directly to the Director or Supervisor of Suicide Prevention at that facility. The Senior Social Worker is responsible for outreach and coalition-building aimed to promote evidence-based practices in suicide prevention in the community. VA is promoting this public health strategy to more effectively work toward eliminating Veteran suicide. The CEPC/Senior Social Worker will work to deploy best practices which are evidence based into the community by engaging stakeholders in coalitions to support this shared mission. This position requires professional administrative expertise, mature judgment, tact, discretion, and the ability to interact with a variety of contacts in an effective and professional manner. The incumbent must understand a wide variety of issues and policies to ensure program goals and objectives are met. The incumbent must understand the gravity and responsibility of the position, and be able to prioritize, problem solve, and monitor processes so that efficiency, accuracy, and VA compliances are maintained. They must also understand the utility of professional consultation and will be someone who has demonstrated an ability to use it successfully. They must successfully interface with individuals and groups with a wide variety of educational levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, divergent opinions, and priorities. The incumbent has responsibilities that include, and skills that involve: Assessing Veteran risk for suicide Identifying appropriate clinical interventions for intervening to prevent suicide - may vary based on individual Veteran needs Be well versed in evidence-based strategies for reducing suicide risk Understand the difference between modifiable and non-modifiable (static) risk factors Understand and experienced in delivery of front-line clinical MH interventions including, Cognitive behavior therapies, motivational interviewing and safety planning Be knowledgeable about VA programs and treatment options Be well versed in scopes of practice for disciplines commonly involved in provision of MH care Experience participating in an RCA, knows how to create a treatment timeline, summarizing clinical care and social circumstance Draft and review Issue Briefs in accordance with VISN and VACO guidelines Able to function with a high degree of autonomy, self-driven Detailed knowledge of co-occurring disorders such as substance use disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, poly-trauma, and chronic pain syndromes, and their impact on suicidal risk Familiarity with clinical and administrative principles and practices related to VA Systems. Best Practices and Quality Improvement The Senior Social Worker/CEPC is responsible for helping to diffuse best practices within the facility, and beyond the facility and into the community. These will be communicated to the CEPC by the VISN 10 SP Program Manager, who will work at the VISN level to ensure all CEPCs and VISN/Facility leadership are well informed and can support the work of the CEPC. To drive program goals and practices forward, and to ensure buy in, they will attend all trainings and meetings assigned. This will help the Senior Social Worker/CEPC to maintain a working knowledge of suicide prevention strategies, which will help to ensure they are able to work effectively as expectations and information change. The incumbent will participate in ongoing program evaluation and analysis, which will support further program improvements at their own facility, and VISN-wide. Evaluations will be data driven, and adhere to the VA Management System, or PDSI format. Reports will adhere to expected format and be provided at regular intervals. The incumbent must remain organized and ensure ongoing data tracking, so that interim reporting is maintained. Ideally, the Senior Social Worker/CEPC will have a working knowledge of the MH SAIL and other nationally tracked quality metrics. The Senior Social Worker/CEPC will attend, participate in, and provide community-based education, representing VA work with a high degree of professionalism. Support facility level efforts of the Suicide Prevention Program and perform duties as assigned. In addition, work closely with VISN SP Program Manager maintaining VISN-level reports as expected. Work Schedule: Full Time 0730-1600 or 0800-1630 Telework: In accordance with VA Policy and Supervisor discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional