Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Summary The incumbent provides Mental Health Services to the Veteran population enrolled at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. Services include provision of high quality case management - individual and group therapy - clinical treatment - crisis intervention - advocacy coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies - as needed by the client. Qualifications Applicants 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 Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy 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) Examples of related mental health counseling fields include - but are not limited to Addiction Counseling Community Counseling Gerontology Counseling Marital – Couple – and Family Counseling CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program Additional information may be obtained from 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 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 treatment NOTE: 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 Exception VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified – pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure This exception only applies up to the full performance level For grade levels at or above the full performance level – the candidate must be licensed The 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 level This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9) For grade levels at or above the full performance level – the candidate must be licensed Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 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 3.j May 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-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 level Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in paragraph 3.b. – and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure In addition – the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities 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-up Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices Basic 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 span Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions Ability 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 effectively Basic 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 Telehealth Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling Ability 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) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee Some state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs Please refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities In 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 implementation Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship Ability 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 orientation Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress Requires independent judgment and skill Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills – including evidence‑based practices – screening – and psychosocial assessment Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho‑education groups that include life skills – family support – and community integration This may include evidence based psychotherapy Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Duties This Job Opportunity will be posted as a Staff Psychologist – Social Worker and Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor. Duties include, but are not limited to: Screening/Assessment – The incumbent will develop psychosocial assessments of the veteran in collaboration with the veteran and family members/significant others. The goal of the psychosocial assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veteran's functional status. The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients – being sensitive to human growth and development – age‑appropriate needs and concerns of the Veteran – and is able to provide current and advanced techniques in the treatment of the veteran population. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting – The incumbent is responsible for the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran, family members/significant others, and other Outpatient Mental Health clinical staff as needed. Referral to Service Providers – Throughout the course of treatment – the incumbent is the subject‑matter expert on VA and/or community resources. Advocacy – The incumbent will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Crisis Intervention – The incumbent is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. Counseling – The incumbent will provide the Veterans and their family members/significant others with ongoing counseling/therapy. Therapy – The incumbent provides individual and group evidence‑based therapies (e.g., CPT, PE, etc.) to veterans. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr