Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Licensed Professional Mental Health CounselorThe Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor serves as a full-time member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) within the Mental Health ICC at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. This position provides outpatient mental health services to Veterans connected with the Syracuse VAMC and its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and is based at the Oswego VA CBOC. The Syracuse VAMC is a large, complexity level 1C facility serving Veterans, families, and caregivers across thirteen counties, including seven CBOCs. As an affiliated tertiary care system, it offers a broad range of specialized programs. The VAMC also partners with three Vet Centers. Primary responsibilities include delivering psychiatric interventions, mental health treatment, and stabilization services in an outpatient setting. The LPMHC provides recovery-oriented, trauma informed psychotherapy for individuals and couples, conducts psychosocial assessments, crisis interventions, and treatment planning, and employs measurement-based care and other evidence based practices. Services are delivered both in person and via telehealth to ensure access to care. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:Provide individual and couples psychotherapy using evidence-based, recovery-focused, and trauma-informed approaches.Complete psychosocial assessments and collaboratively develop treatment plans using Measurement Based Care.Apply knowledge of psychiatric conditions, evidence-based treatment protocols (including CBT and CPT), and common psychotropic medications, including their effects and side effects.Accurately use mental health and medical diagnostic terminology to support clear communication with the healthcare team.Participate in collaborative clinical discussions and advocate for Veterans' psychosocial and mental health needs, including factors affecting treatment adherence.Document all clinical services in the electronic health record and review provider notes to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.Conduct rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans, including evaluation for psychiatric hospitalization or residential program admission.Routinely assess Veterans' mental health needs during outpatient treatment, coordinate transitions between levels of care, and support timely discharge planning to the least restrictive environment.Perform additional duties as assigned in response to service and organizational needs.Engage in ongoing professional development through self-assessment, supervision, and clinical discussions.Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pmTelework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases, when setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.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 $416.66Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VAInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)