Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
SummaryThe Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for 1 full-time Mental Health Counselor. This vacancy will be filled by a Social Worker - Marriage and Family Therapist - Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - or Staff psychologist.QualificationsHealth Professional Trainee (HPT) 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationHold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health CounselingClinical Rehabilitation CounselingClinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counselingor 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 CounselingCommunity CounselingGerontology CounselingMarital - Couple - and Family CounselingCACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited programAdditional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/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 counselingLicensurePersons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0101 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 treatmentExceptionVHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensureThis exception only applies up to the full performance levelFor grade levels at or above the full performance level - the candidate must be licensedEnglish Language ProficiencyLPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3.jMay 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: GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience - Education - and LicensureThe GS-9 grade level 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 levelUnlicensed 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 licensureIn addition - the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) belowDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the basic requirements - the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1Ability to engage in intake and assessment - problem identification - diagnosis - treatment planning and implementation - continuum of care - evaluation and follow-up2Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices3Basic 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 span4Ability to use a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventions5Ability 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 effectively6Basic 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 Telehealth7Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA8Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes - case laws - ethical codes - and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling9Ability to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - with people from varied backgroundsGS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience - Education - and LicensureIn 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 in subparagraph (c) belowLPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC traineeSome state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCsPlease refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervisionDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1Ability to make professional evaluations - decisions - and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation2Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship3Ability 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 orientation4Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distressRequires independent judgment and skill5Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills - including evidenced- based practices - screening - and psychosocial assessment6Ability to use a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventions7Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices8Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills - family support - and community integrationThis may include evidence based psychotherapyAll qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application packageWe will not make assumptions when reviewing applicationsFailure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualificationIt is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application packageReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a range of GS-9 to GS-11Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this positionQuestions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.DutiesThe VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical CentersThis is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullestAs an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each VeteranThis is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's communityThis aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-beingThe professional mental health counselor provides professional counseling and mental health services grounded in professional counseling theory and evidence-based practicesCore responsibilities include delivering direct clinical care to patients - developing and implementing treatment plans - completing clinical evaluations - and contributing to the education of staff and trainees as appropriateThe professional mental health counselor is responsible for their clinical assessment findings - patient care decisions - and documentation - ensuring adherence to all documentation procedures - including timely entries and proper patient check-out processesThey are fully accountable for their practice - which includes recording visit details - measuring intervention outcomes - and meeting productivity standardsThe professional mental health counselor promotes the highest standards of professional and ethical practice across the interdisciplinary team and actively participates in administrative and informational meetings - including those of the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) Service - Mental Health - and Medical Staff - as well as relevant program-specific meetingsThe professional mental health counselor must demonstrate a high degree of independent actionThey engage in program development - outcomes evaluation - and performance monitoring to address and monitor the population-based needs of individualsThe LPMHC serves various committees - task forces - or rotations at the LPMHC - Mental Health Integrated Care Community (MH ICC) - medical center - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) - and/or national VA levels - as assignedThey participate in the full range of treatment programming and may provide leadership and professional assistance to their junior and peer colleagues as appropriateThey may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed professional mental health counselor or trainee - as well as providing clinical supervision to aspiring professionals of other disciplinesDuties include - but are not limited to: Provide professional evaluations - decisions - and recommendations for treatment planning and implementationDeliver comprehensive - evidence-based therapeutic interventions through both in-person and telehealth servicesProvide therapeutic services through individual therapy - couples/family therapy - and psychoeducational groupsDevelop treatment plans and set achievable treatment goals in collaboration with the patientThe treatment plan will be completed no later than the end of the patient's third visit for mental health services and updated as required by the Mental Health Integrated Care Community (MH ICC) - or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's condition or needsEvaluate service delivery and outcomes by consistently using measurement-based care to guide interventions and treatmentConduct crisis screening and assessment - developing crisis management plans for the appropriate level of careIn the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency - follow the protocol of the Mental Health Clinic at the VA Medical CenterProvide consultation to professional staff within the Fargo VA Healthcare System and to community providers regarding patient diagnosis and treatment - as well as the delivery of careProvide formal or informal supervision and/or training for professional mental health counseling trainees and unlicensed colleagues - as assignedEnsure that the practice of professional mental health counseling is consistent with the professional practice standards and ethics of National Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors - as guided by the NBCC Code of Ethics - and with the established policies and procedures of the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) Service - Fargo VA - State Licensing Board - and the Veterans Health AdministrationWork Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.mTelework: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual positionRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized