Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Coordinator) - Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention Coordinators are clinically trained and dedicated fulltime to Suicide Prevention Program implementation at the VA medical facility and provide outreach and education to the surrounding communities. The position is responsible for facilitating the implementation of suicide prevention program (SPP) using public health approaches at a local level through education, outreach, monitoring, care and coordination of activities related to suicide prevention.

Major duties include but are not limited the following: The incumbent provides clinical and administrative consultation to VA health care leadership, VA medical center-based committees, and all staff regarding suicide prevention. Using the established chain of command, the incumbent reports any barriers to suicide prevention in the VA medical facility, including patterns of non-adherence to requirements or SOPs. Toward these ends, the incumbent is responsible for the following specific duties: Tracking and reporting on Veterans who have attempted suicide or are at high risk for suicide. Responding to referrals from the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) and self-referrals from other sources. Ensuring that all VA staff members have received discipline-appropriate suicide prevention training (VA S.A.V.E. training or equivalent) Collaborating with community organizations and partners to increase awareness of suicide prevention best practices and providing training to individuals who have contact with Veterans. Providing subject matter consultation to healthcare providers on available resources for suicidal individuals, as well as expertise and direction in the areas of system design to prevent deaths by suicide within their local VA medical centers. Working with health care providers to ensure that monitoring and treatment is intensified for high-risk patients while making sure that those who are at elevated risk receive education and support about approaches to reduce risks. Reporting to Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) on Veterans who attempted or died by suicide and sending OSP requested data, which is used to determine characteristics and risks associated with these groups of Veterans. Making sure that providers follow up on missed appointments to ensure patient safety for high-risk patients and initiate problem-solving decisions about possible tensions or difficulties in patients' ongoing care. Ensuring that medical centers have established a High-Risk for Suicide List (HRSL) of Veterans and a process for establishing Patient Record Flag Category 1 - High Risk for Suicide (HRS-PRFs), which includes: Exclusively controlling all HRS-PRFs and limiting their use to patients who meet the criteria for being placed on the facility HRSL. Coordinating with facility committees that manage PRFs to incorporate the use of HRS-PRFs into overall facility flag processes. Assessing the risk for suicide in individual patients in collaboration with their treating clinicians and ensuring that those patients receive appropriate follow-up care for any missed mental health appointments. Establishing a system of reviewing HRS-PRFs at least every 90 days. Documenting, when appropriate, the nature of the follow-up care and plans for continuing treatment in the electronic health record (EHR). Identifying training needs related to suicide prevention. Maintaining communication with the facility-designated advisory groups to keep them aware of flag placements and review outcomes. Implement facility suicide prevention strategies in accordance with VHA policies and clinical practice guidelines. Use available online tools, training materials, and resources to enhance the care provided to Veterans and raise awareness among community stakeholders. Obtaining any relevant Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) clearances to allow transmittal of medical center data on suicide attempts and individuals at risk to the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23) for trending quality assurance purposes; and transmitting the data following cyber security requirements as applicable for this sensitive data. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Musty posses a valid drivers license. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.