Psychologist (Suicide Prevention Coordinator)

Position Overview

Major Duties

• Oversee program operations and evaluations, identify improvement opportunities, assess data, and implement and evaluate improvement efforts.
• Serve as the facility SME and POC for suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, outreach, education, and suicide behavior and death reporting.
• Consult healthcare providers on resources for suicidal individuals and system design to prevent suicide deaths.
• Collaborate with other Suicide Prevention Coordinators and document services rendered to improve the program.
• Serve on assigned local, regional, or national suicide prevention and patient safety committees and workgroups.
• Implement and track organizational guidelines, policies, clinical pathways, and national suicide prevention standards.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable local practices, regulations, policies, procedures, guidance, and medical literature.
• Develop, revise, and enforce policies for national and local suicide prevention efforts.
• Analyze clinical program data to identify system-wide trends and needs that improve service quality.
• Respond to referrals from staff, the Veterans Crisis Line, and other touchpoints to ensure at-risk Veterans receive care.
• Work with community organizations to build suicide prevention awareness and train people who interact with Veterans.
• Provide therapy and specialized interventions and educate multidisciplinary teams on evidence-based interventions.

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday, 08:00 to 16:30 EST.

Workplace

• The position is located at Castle Point VA Medical Center.
• Telework is not available.
• This is not a virtual position.

Pay and Incentives

• Salary is competitive with regular salary increases.
• The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval.
• EDRP awards may be up to $200,000 with an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Recruitment, relocation, and permanent change of station incentives are not authorized.

Benefits

• Annual paid time off includes annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Paid parental leave may be available after 12 months of employment.
• Eligible employees may receive a child care subsidy.
• Benefits include a federal pension, 401(k) contributions, and federal insurance programs.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must meet citizenship eligibility requirements under VA policy.
• Selected applicants are subject to pre-employment drug screening, background investigation, physical evaluation, and onboarding requirements.
• Written and spoken English proficiency is required.
• Seasonal influenza vaccination program participation is required for VA health care personnel.
• Employment requires completion of a one- or two-year trial period.

Basic Qualifications

• A qualifying doctoral degree in psychology from an APA, PCSAS, or CPA accredited program is required, subject to listed VA alternatives.
• The degree specialty must be consistent with the psychologist assignment.
• A qualifying professional psychology internship is required, subject to listed VA alternatives.
• Applicants awaiting education, certification, or licensure completion may be referred or tentatively selected but cannot be hired until requirements are met.