Job Summary

The Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator is aligned under the Mental Health Service Line. This interdisciplinary team consists of professional staff who work full-time managing the suicide prevention program for the SVAHCS. Veteran care includes careful monitoring for suicide risk. At-risk veterans are identified as high risk and are flagged, supported, and tracked. Highly involved in clinical care, typically responding to Veterans in mental health crises that involve some aspect of safety.

Job Description

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 Candidates must meet one of the following: (1) Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, (2) Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR, (3) Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in a comparable mental health degree (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry) that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession. Licensure Persons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0182 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State. English Language Proficiency MFTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-12 (Program Coordinator) Experience, Education, and Licensure In addition to the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. MFT program coordinators of family programs must be trained in family systems therapy/theory. If the assignment is responsible for providing systemic clinical supervision for licensure the individual must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph below. Demonstrated KSAs In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet multiple deadlines, delegate tasks and facilitate team building. 2. Ability to manage and direct the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives. 3. Ability to devise innovative ways to adapt work operations to new and changing programs, to develop staffing and budget requirements, and to translate management goals and objectives into well- coordinated and controlled work operations and ensure compliance with pertinent VHA policies. 4. Ability to establish and monitor performance priorities according to standards and program evaluation criteria. 5. Knowledge of family systems theory/therapy in coordination of family programs. Preferred Experience: Extensive experience in individual and group therapies working with Suicide Prevention and MH Crisis intervention and education. Applicant should be well-versed in Evidence-Based Protocols (EBPs). Applicant should be able to present in public speaking and community engagement events, as well as VA Staff. Skilled in working within interdisciplinary teams, including medical providers, psychiatrists, nursing staff, and case managers Proficient in Suicide Prevention and capable in Mental Health Crisis Care Capable in Program Management and building professional relationships both within and outside of the VA System. Capable of engaging audiences in public speaking and presentations VA Systems experience Experience with Suicide Prevention and education of Suicide Prevention. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position provides direct services to patients and their families through casework. Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain, corrective lenses are permitted), keen hearing (aid permitted), clear, distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.