Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

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 The basic requirements for employment as a LPMHC are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(11). To qualify for appointment as a LPMHC all applicants must: a. 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 VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – Section A – paragraph 3.g.). b. Education – Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 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, and Marital‑Couple‑and‑Family Counseling. c. Additional information may be obtained from 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 – In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of the candidates: Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor – GS‑12: (a) Experience, Education, and Licensure – at least one year of progressively complex LPMHC experience equivalent to the GS‑11 grade level; five years of post‑licensed experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and the ability to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. (b) Assignments – Provide treatment to patients with complex needs, offer clinical consultation to less experienced staff, coordinate crisis situations, provide clinical supervision, serve as subject‑matter expert, develop training curriculum, model ethical behavior, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and perform liaison duties. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – Advanced knowledge and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex mental illness, ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment, develop specialized treatment plans, coordinate delivery of specialized psychosocial services, design system changes based on data, provide subject‑matter consultation, teach, mentor, and supervise licensure or specialty certifications, communicate with leadership and community stakeholders, and preferred experience in interdisciplinary teams and brief evidence‑based interventions. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12; the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected is a GS‑12. Duties The Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) – Southeast Network (VISN 7) – VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta, GA, within the Mental Health Service. Serve as an independently licensed clinician responsible for coordinating assessment, monitoring, and management of Veterans exhibiting disruptive or high‑risk behaviors. Major duties include program coordination and DBC operations – coordinate the Disruptive Behavior Committee, organize and facilitate regular meetings, case reviews, and follow‑up activities; ensure timely review of reports involving disruptive or high‑risk Veteran behavior; track and monitor patients with behavioral flags; order behavioral restriction (OBRs) or other risk indicators; coordinate communication between clinical teams, police, leadership, and other stakeholders involved in risk management. Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments and evaluate risk related to disruptive or potentially violent behavior; apply evidence‑based counseling frameworks and behavioral interventions in developing management plans; provide crisis intervention, de‑escalation consultation, and safety planning; support clinical teams in managing complex behavioral presentations across care settings. Provide consultation to providers, staff, and leadership regarding disruptive behavior, risk assessment, and management strategies; collaborate with mental health, primary‑care, inpatient, police, and administrative services to ensure coordinated responses; participate in facility‑level workplace violence prevention efforts and committees. Monitor compliance with VHA policies related to disruptive behavior and workplace violence prevention; participate in program evaluation, data tracking, and performance improvement initiatives; assist in developing or refining policies, procedures, and workflows related to behavioral risk management. Provide training and education to staff on de‑escalation techniques, behavioral risk factors, and workplace violence prevention strategies. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of DBC activities, risk assessments, and coordination efforts in accordance with VA policy; ensure adherence to ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and regulatory guidelines. Work schedule: Monday– Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive. Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13‑26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment – full‑time employees with a total family income below $144‑000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance; federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61971F. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr