Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Readjustment Counselor

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. The award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after a review of the application. Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of required educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements The basic requirements for employment as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(11). To qualify for appointment as an LPMHC in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (non‑citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3g). Education: Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or a related field from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additional information may be obtained from Examples of related mental health counseling fields include but are not limited to: Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, Marital – Couple – and Family Counseling. 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. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure for up to 3 years for a LPMHC who provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC at or above the full performance level. This exception applies only at the entry level (GS‑09). English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – Section A – paragraph 3j. Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a LPMHC on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held. If employees do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time of appointment, they may be reassigned or promoted up to and including the full performance level, demoted, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Grade Determinations: Candidates must meet criteria for each grade level. GS‑9 (Entry Level) – LPMHCs with less than one year of experience after master’s degree, or those who have completed the required education but are not yet licensed to practice independently. GS‑11 (Full Performance Level) – Must have at least one year of post‑master’s or post‑doctoral mental health counseling experience (VA or non‑VA) and be licensed to practice at the independent level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate advanced counseling competencies such as professional evaluation, crisis intervention, treatment planning, use of DSM for diagnosis, and facilitation of individual, group, and family counseling. Duties Serve as an RCS Vet Center Readjustment Counselor – providing counseling services, outreach, referral, and follow‑up care coordination to eligible individuals, couples, and family members. Function as a member of a small multi‑disciplinary team of at least four staff members; contribute proactively to internal coordination of care and collaborative planning. Screen and assess eligible individuals, establish a therapeutic relationship, and complete readjustment counseling intake procedures, including risk assessment for self‑harm and psychosocial functioning. Develop and periodically update individualized readjustment counseling service plans that outline therapeutic goals and measurable outcomes. Implement counseling plans through appropriate individual, group, couple, or family readjustment counseling sessions. Maintain an effective therapeutic relationship with clients guided by professional ethics throughout the counseling process. Apply risk assessment procedures periodically during counseling and, for higher‑risk individuals, develop safety plans and provide crisis case management services. Coordinate care by establishing and maintaining a network of community care relationships to ensure access to readjustment counseling services. Maintain knowledge of military experience and available VA benefits and services such as VA health care and VBA service‑connected benefits. Coordinate with Vet Center outreach workers to ensure seamless referral to Vet Center services during community events. Participate in staff meetings focused on team building, staff development, joint planning, problem solving, case discussions, and mentorship of new hires. Document all clinical interactions and episodes of care coordination in compliance with RCS policy and provide consultation services to other staff and community partners. Other duties as assigned. Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (some evenings and weekends may be required based on the needs of the Vet Center). #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs