Social Worker; Program Coordinator

Suicide Prevention Coordinator

This position serves as a Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) for James J. Peters (JJP) Bronx VA Medical Center. The SPC is organizationally co-aligned with Mental Health Service and Social Work Service but provides Suicide Prevention services for the JJP VAMC catchment area. The incumbent manages the daily operation of the Suicide Prevention Program (SPP), provides care coordination and case management services, administers crisis interventions, promotes system and community-wide crisis resources, provides suicide prevention education and training, and collects/records mandatory data for National, Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) and local reporting services.

The SPC is a member of the Suicide Prevention Team (SPT) and collaboratively works with the SPT members in the development of policies and procedures for program operations, implementation of suicide prevention strategies with an emphasis on ensuring that all appropriate measures are taken to prevent suicide.

Primary duties of this position include:

• The coordination and monitoring of mental health and medical services for Veterans identified as "high risk" for suicide, collaboration with the Veteran's Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) and clinical treatment team to provide suicide prevention consultation, track treatment progress, and provide individualized, comprehensive case management services.
• S/he collaborates with treating clinicians to assess risk and provide guidance about criteria for Patient Record Flags Category I - High Risk for Suicide (HRS-PRF) placements and ensures that high-risk Veterans are receiving appropriate care following their HRS-PRF placements, including increased frequency of clinical care visits and follow-up after missed appointments.
• In conjunction with the healthcare team, the incumbent identifies and assesses risk, safety, supports and implements appropriate interventions/treatment for those who are experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation or are experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence. Adheres to VA and mandated reporter requirements. Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on abuse, neglect, exploitation, and intimate partner violence issues.
• The incumbent is responsible for responding to referrals from staff members, the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), and other touch points to ensure that at-risk Veterans immediately receive care and services.
• The SPC performs mandated outreach and awareness activities as a member of the SPT to increase awareness of suicide prevention best practices and to improve the public's understanding and knowledge of suicide risk factors, military culture, lethal means safety and the accessibility of available resources, such as the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL).
• The incumbent engages in educational activities including, but not limited to, dissemination of clinical practice guidelines, educational materials related to suicide prevention, training both clinical and nonclinical staff within VA to identify and respond to Veterans who are at increased risk for suicide and providing training to community organizations and staff who have contact with Veterans (e.g. local SPP procedures, suicide prevention topics such as crisis response, safety planning, postvention, suicide risk screening and evaluation).
• Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions.

Work Schedule:

Full-time Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework:
Not Available

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 74570

Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized:
Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2

EDRPCOORDINATORS for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized