Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

SummaryThe incumbent provides mental health services and case management services for Veterans with mental health diagnoses as an integral part of the outpatient Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team. The incumbent will conduct psychosocial assessments - provide crisis intervention - clinical case management - and evidence-based psychotherapy (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - etc.)QualificationsApplicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.Basic RequirementsCitizenshipBe a citizen of the United States(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - paragraph 3.g.)EducationHold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health CounselingClinical Rehabilitation CounselingClinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counselingor a related field - from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)Examples of related mental health counseling fields include - but are not limited to Addiction CounselingCommunity CounselingGerontology CounselingMarital - Couple - and Family CounselingCACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have 3 graduated from a CACREP accredited programAdditional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling LicensurePersons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series in VHA must hold a full - current - and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - which includes diagnosis and treatmentNOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record(1) ExceptionVHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensureThis exception only applies up to the full performance levelFor grade levels at or above the full performance level - the candidate must be licensedMay qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience - Education - and LicensureIn addition to the basic requirements - candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph belowLPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC traineeSome state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCsPlease refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervisionDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to make professional evaluations - decisions - and recommendation for treatment planning and implementationAdvanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationshipAbility to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas - build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings and discussions to explain assignments - review progress of cases and confer about the counseling perspectives and orientationAbility to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distressRequires independent judgment and skillAbility to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills - including evidenced- based practices - screening - and psychosocial assessmentAbility to use a wide variety of individual - group - or familial counseling interventionsdemonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skillsAbility to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practicesAbility to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills - family support - and community integrationThis may include evidence based psychotherapyPreferred Experience: Evidence based psychotherapy experience requiredReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11Physical Requirements: The incumbent may be asked to perform physical tasks requiring standing - bending - stooping - kneeling - climbing stairs - and lifting up to 25 lbs.DutiesDuties include - but are not limited to: Incumbent independently conducts assessments - evaluating the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their families to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying needs - strengths and coping skills in collaboration with the patient and family as appropriateIncumbent will provide triage assessment - crisis intervention - and counseling/psychotherapy for Veterans using evidence-based practiceIncumbent provides clinical case management services to VeteransThe incumbent coordinates care and assures that Veterans receive needed services to increase functionality - independence - and quality of lifeThe incumbent sets clinical care goals in collaboration with the patient - monitors progress toward goals - and works to achieve outcomes - including reduced hospitalizationsThe incumbent will serve collaboratively on a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program teamIncumbent recognizes complex situations that impact patient care and intervenes - using sound judgment and appropriate resourcesIncumbent establishes collaborative relationships with mental health providers particularly - as well as other team members and staff outside the department in order to more effectively coordinateIncumbent has knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment proceduresThis includes acute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminologyIncumbent has knowledge of community and VA resources - and makes appropriate referrals to programs in order to best meet Veteran's needs and coordinate Veteran's careIncumbent provides education and consultation to staff - students - patients - and families regarding programs and serves as a point of contact for the community for these programsIncumbent remains current on VA policies and procedures relevant to program areasIncumbent works with team to meet goals and performance measures within program - including Noninstitutional Care measuresThe incumbent effectively utilizes electronic resources required for providing services and completing reportsThese include - but are not limited to electronic medical record - Microsoft Word - workload reporting - and program referral proceduresIncumbent documents work appropriately and in a timely manner in the medical recordIncumbent participates in performance improvement activities and tracks and trends issues as part of performance improvement planKnowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes - case laws - ethical codes - and regulations affecting professional practice of counselingAbility to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - with people from varied backgroundsThe incumbent is required to attend Ambulatory Care Center administrative and professional meetings as directedProvide supervision to lower graded counselors requiring clinical supervisionWork Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact Brandon.Hughes2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #:92786-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized