Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Primary Care Mental Health Integration)

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) & 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. 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 Citizenship Be a citizen of the United States 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 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 The 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 deadline The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date 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 Experience - Education - and Licensure This 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 below Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities In addition to the basic requirements - the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1 Ability to engage in intake and assessment - problem identification - diagnosis - treatment planning and implementation - continuum of care - evaluation and follow-up 2 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 3 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 4 Ability to use a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventions 5 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 6 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 7 Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA 8 Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes - case laws - ethical codes - and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling 9 Ability to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - with people from varied backgrounds (2) Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-11 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 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: 1 Ability to make professional evaluations - decisions - and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation 2 Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship 3 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 4 Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress Requires independent judgment and skill 5 Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills - including evidenced- based practices - screening - and psychosocial assessment 6 Ability to use a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventions 7 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 8 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-09 to GS-11 Physical Requirements: ???????See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Duties This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - and Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (HVAMC) This position is aligned under the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Program (PCMHI) and Behavioral Health Laboratory (BHL) Hub - which is administratively aligned under the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service Line Functions as part of multidisciplinary patient aligned care teams (PACTs) - and delivers brief - consultation-based services to Veterans within the primary care service context Clinical Responsibilities Provides immediate access to clinical assessment and appropriate collaborative care and treatment for those experiencing mental health symptoms or behavioral health issues Provides individual and group interventions to support patients that are coping with health psychology presentations - psychosocial stressors - grief or phase of life difficulties - and mild-moderate mental health presentations Practices collaborative - stepped and measurement-based care - including appropriate longitudinal follow-up - to address common mental health and behavioral health conditions for the primary care population Functions successfully as a member of a multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health providers and provides consultation about mental health diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans to professionals representing a variety of disciplines Provides cognitive screenings to address specific functional and/or cognitive ability questions as indicated Provides education to patients - family members of patients - professional staff - and trainees In addition - will engages families of Veterans in empirically supported treatment for caregiver burden when necessary Completes thorough risk assessments and follows mental health crisis procedures as indicated Performs case finding functions and outreach - identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs Possesses the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities - provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals - families - and groups Conducts psychosocial assessments Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team if applicable Incumbent possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions Identifies high-risk patients and provides crisis intervention services - seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint - coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members Provides support for those Veterans on the High Risk for Suicide list Has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures This includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans - their representatives - visitors - and all VA staff) in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures Administrative Responsibilities Possesses working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing - data management and other computer systems - especially those programs in use by VHA Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team - assigned program and/clinic - and the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Program Manager - Service Chief - Chief of Staff - and/or Medical Center Director Remains actively involved in MH&BS LPMHC training - education - and administrative activities as indicated Actively participates in and assumes responsibilities associated with committee assignments to include Performance Improvement - Peer Review - and Performance Measures Assists as requested - with staff education and training on assigned topics Performs other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: 8-4:30 pm Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 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