Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor- Veterans Readjustment Counselor

SummaryEligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation: Hold 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 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 counselingLicensure: Persons 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 treatmentException: VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensureThis exception only applies at the GS-09 level - for the GS-11 level - the candidate must be licensedThe appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance levelThis exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9)For grade levels at or above the full performance level - the candidate must be licensedGrade DeterminationsIn addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience - Education - and LicensureThe GS-9 grade level is the entry grade level for LPMHCs with less than one year of experience(post-master's degree) or for LPMHCs at the master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice levelNo Requirements beyond the Basic Requirements listed aboveAND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the basic requirements - the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to engage in intake and assessment - problem identification - diagnosis - treatment planning and implementation - continuum of care - evaluation and follow-upKnowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practicesBasic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive - affective - behavioral or systemic interventions - and strategies that address high risk behaviors - wellness - personal growth - and career development across the life spanAbility to use a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventionsdemonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skillsAbility to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal - interpersonal - and relational functioning of individuals - groups and families and on the counseling approaches - strategies - and techniques that will best help patients function effectivelyBasic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents - data management - maintaining accurate - timely and thorough clinical documentation and delivery of services - such as TelehealthAbility to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHAKnowledge 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 backgrounds Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience - Education - and Licensure: In 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) performing duties such as: engaging in intake and assessment - problem identification - diagnosis - treatment planning and implementation - continuum of care - evaluation and follow-upusing a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventionsproviding professional mental health counseling servicesand must be licensed to practice at the independent practice levelAND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 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 psychotherapyReference: VA Handbook 5005-106 - Part II - Appendix G43 - dated April 3 - 2018The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11Physical Requirements: The work does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodationA pre-placement exam is not requiredDutiesThe incumbent will be responsible for providing services to eligible individuals who are experiencing a variety of military related psychological and psychosocial problemsIncumbents must possess the knowledge and experience to independently implement psychotherapeutic modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups to enhance the readjustment of Veterans - active-duty Service members - and their familiesFunctions and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Intake screening and assessment: Complete all readjustment counseling intake procedures - including an assessment of risk for self-harm - military history and military related psychosocial stressors - and assess family readjustment stressors and document identified behaviors or symptomsReadjustment counseling goal setting and service planning: Develop and periodically update an individualized readjustment counseling service plan that reflects a course of therapeutic and psychosocial interventions - including identification of achievable goals and measurable outcomesDirect readjustment counseling service provision: Incorporate complex multiple causation in differential psychosocial assessment and direct service delivery to eligible Veterans - including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnostic inferences within the clinical scope of practiceRisk assessment and crisis intervention: Conduct timely assessment of Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs - evaluate risk - and initiate safety planning as appropriateCare coordination: Links the Veteran with other community services - resources - and opportunities to maximize the Veteran's independence - health - and well-beingCoordinating readjustment counseling and outreach: Maintain active coordination with Vet Center outreach workers to ensure seamless referral to Vet Center services for those individuals engaged in the community at outreach events that may require follow-up readjustment counselingTeam cohesion and coordination: Actively participate in staff meetings designed to promote team building and staff developmentDocumentation/administrative responsibilities/consultation: Document all clinical interactions with eligible individuals and episodes of care coordination on their behalf as required by policyResponsiveness to Other Duties as Assigned: Will proactively address all other duties as assigned and directed by the Vet Center DirectorWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pmsome evenings and weekends may be required based on the needs of the Vet Center Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 47394-0 - 43860-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized