Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

SummaryThe Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) practices in the Behavioral Health & Sciences (BH&S) clinical settings to provide mental health services. In this position - the duties may include serving as the care manager and psychotherapist to a patient population with highly complex health and mental health problems. The LPMHC is assigned to work within an interdisciplinary team to provide these services ensuring Veterans timely access to mental health and psychosocial services.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: Must 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/Licensure: 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 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 recordException: VHA 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 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 licensedThe Human Resources Office will provide the unlicensed LPMHC in writing the requirement to obtain licensure - the date by which the license must be acquired - and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadlineThe written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty dateGrandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Handbook 5005/106 - Part II Appendix G43 for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this positionQuestions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examinationEnglish Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3.jGrade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesLicensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience - Education - and Licensure: The 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 levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 backgroundsLicensed 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) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs belowAbility 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: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The 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-9 to GS-11.DutiesAs a member of the interdisciplinary Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) team - the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor must form and maintain effective working relationships with staff from the Behavioral Health Clinic - Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Primary Care Clinics in order to provide patients with an integrated and comprehensive treatment programMajor duties include - but are not limited to: Conducting psychosocial assessments to determine needs of Veterans and familyServing as an active participant in interdisciplinary treatment planning - to include creation and review of treatment plans - as neededParticipating in interdisciplinary discharge planning - as needed - and ensure that discharge plans are executed in a timely and appropriate mannerProviding individual - family - and group counseling as neededProviding consultation and education services to Veterans and families regarding community resources - advance directives - and VA benefitsActing as a consultant for interdisciplinary team membersProviding consultation and education to medical residents - interns - and other VAMC personnel regarding associated VA policies and proceduresActing as a marketing and public relations liaison for VA and community resourcesProviding case management to Veterans and families - as needed - throughout the continuum and course of careProviding the full range of Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor within commonly accepted standards of practice - including: case workindividual - family - and group counselingdischarge planningcase managementand other needed servicesAddressing Advance Directives and Organ Donation in accordance with VAMC standardsProviding wellness/prevention education and associated support groupsCoordinating treatment and communicate with care lines about continuity of careParticipating in committees as assignedMaintaining data and statistics to comply with Joint Commission - VHA - and VAMC policies and proceduresHelp as needed to prepare for associated reviews and surveysHelping patients and significant others cope and deal with the psychosocial issues and the loss and grief associated with disability - terminal illness - and deathDocumenting interventions and activities in each patient's clinical record utilizing CPRS and ensure appropriate hand off when transferring patient careParticipating in an on-call rotation - including modification of tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs on weekends - as neededPerforms other duties as assignedWork Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm - Monday-Friday with on call coverage as necessaryNote: There may be instances when your tour of duty - work location and responsibilities may change to meet the needs of the Medical CenterTelework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized