Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-EDRP

Summary This position is eligible 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) and 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 are ineligible to apply. 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 English language proficiency In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English Education Master’s or doctoral degree in one of the following: 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 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling Licensure Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor – which includes diagnosis and treatment NOTE: Applicants pending the completion of the licensure requirement may be selected (GS‑09 only) and given up to a three‑year temporary appointment Grandfathering provision An LPMHC employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (4/3/2018) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS‑11) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirements Physical requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Grade determinations: GS‑09 LPMHC (Entry Level) requirements – along with meeting the basic education requirements for this position you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 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 GS‑11 LPMHC (Full Performance Level) requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements – to qualify for the GS‑11 you must have at least one year of post‑master’s or post‑doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non‑VA experience) that demonstrates the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Ability to engage in intake and assessment – problem identification – diagnosis – treatment planning and implementation – continuum of care – evaluation and follow‑up Knowledge of current DSM 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 Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations 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 Continues under 'Additional Information' Duties The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-EDRP position is within Mental Health in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (DRRTP) clinic Duties may include but are not limited to: May coordinate programming within both various mental health and primary care programs May be involved in research activities – especially as related to program evaluation responsibilities May have responsibility for and oversight of the programmatic resources of various clinical programs that are specialized/complex and significantly impact the delivery of health care service to Veterans in the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) May assist the work of various clinical programs and their staff – ensuring that work is assigned in a systematic way and meets facility and VA guidelines/standards Provides a full range of psychological services and diagnoses mental disorders – particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients with substance use disorders and co‑occurring mental health disorders Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others Provides a range of psychological therapeutic interventions with individuals with mental health and substance use disorders utilizing empirically supported modalities when indicated May be asked to prepare and teach seminars/workshops for STVHCS trainees/staff on topics within competency areas Work schedule: Tuesday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – rotating holidays and Sundays Telework: Ad‑hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 53713‑F/53712‑F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs