Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Summary This licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) position is located at Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw - MI. The experienced LPMHC independently provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an advanced practice level to eligible veterans and their family members to meet their mental health needs. Qualifications 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 Grandfather 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 Grade Determinations: GS‑11 LPMHC: 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 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. Duties Duties include – but are not limited to: Interviews Veterans and Conducts Psychosocial Assessment – Interview veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veteran's functioning and health as part of a psychosocial assessment Interprets and explains VA's treatment Refers veterans to Benefits officerDetermines Psychosocial Diagnoses – Independently evaluates the client's situation Evaluates the veteran's reaction Uses professional judgement Uses advanced practice skills Plans effective treatment Refers Veterans to Appropriate Venue – Uses the initial assessment to determine the veteran's likelihood to accept differing types of assistance or referrals Develops preliminary psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with veteran/family Makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team Uses known available resources Makes initial decisions regarding use of VA and non‑VA services and referrals Implements treatment – Provides interventions Provides advice, guidance, and emotional support, and other assistance Provides patient education Is accountable for the overall outcomes of the services provided Evaluation – documentation and education: Documents independently in the medical records utilizing electronic formats – including psychosocial assessments, diagnostics, treatment, progress notes, follow‑up, and referral Maintains comprehensive documentation Ensures expert diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available – Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 92673‑0 – Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized – Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr