Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - PTSD, Clinical Team

SummaryThe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT) staff counselor provides care to Veterans in the outpatient PCT at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC. In collaboration with the PCT team and requesting providers - this GS-11 PCT staff counselor evaluates the Veteran's presenting clinical concerns conceptualized within the biopsychosocial model - provides evidence-based psychotherapy - and facilitates access to the resources that will best promote recovery from the presenting concern.QualificationsBasic Requirements:United States Citizenship English Language Proficiency Education -Hold 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 CounselingLicensure - 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 treatmentFor grade levels at or above the full performance level - the candidate must be licensed Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesLicensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - 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) belowAssignmentsIndividuals assigned as GS-9 LPMHCs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised - including co-signatures where required - as they are not functioning at the full performance levelThey are typically assigned to VHA areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experienceSince they are not practicing at an independent level - they should not be assigned to areas where independent practice is required - such as in a CBOC - unless there is a licensed LPMHC in the area who can provide supervision for practiceUnder supervision - LPMHCs at this level provide professional mental health counseling servicesDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the basic requirements - the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to engage in intake and assessment - problem identification - diagnosis - treatment planning and implementation - continuum of care - evaluation and follow-upKnowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practicesBasic 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 spanAbility to use a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventionsAbility 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 effectivelyBasic 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 TelehealthAbility to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHAKnowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes - case laws - ethical codes - and regulations affecting professional practice of counselingAbility to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - with people from varied backgroundsGS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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 KSA's belowLPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee 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: Ability to make professional evaluations - decisions - and recommendation for treatment planning and implementationAdvanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationshipAbility 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 orientationAbility to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distressRequires independent judgment and skillAbility to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills - including evidenced- based practices - screening - and psychosocial assessmentAbility to use a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventionsAbility to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practicesAbility to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills - family support - and community integrationThis may include evidence based psychotherapyPreferred Experience: Incumbent must have experience doing individual therapy with adult clientsPromotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are metSelection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance levelReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the position involve standard office requirements such as using the telephone - retrieving files - writing reports - data entry and maintenance of computer databases - etcWork is typically performed sitting at a desk and using a computerThis position may require occasional travelThe position requires periods of walking - standing - sitting and bending.DutiesScreening/Assessment - In conjunction with the interdisciplinary team - the PCT staff counselor screens and assesses the Veteran's psychosocial needs and barriers in order to facilitate his or her access to appropriate VA and community resourcesThrough collaborative relationships with the Veteran - his or her family/caregiver and other VA programs and VA staff - the PCT staff counselor coordinates the gathering of information vital to the process of setting appropriate treatment goals and time frames for achieving those goalsTreatment Planning/Goal Setting - From screening/assessment information - in coordination with the multidisciplinary treatment team - the Veteran and his/her family - the PCT staff counselor determines realistic goals with the Veteran - including such factors as a) problems - b) goals - c) objectives - c) specific concrete interventionsPsychotherapy-The PCT staff counselor will provide a full range of psychotherapeutic services to utilize the most appropriate evidence-based psychotherapy in order to provide quality careThe incumbent will participate in telemental health or similar activities to provide services for Veterans located away from the Medical Center or CBOCThe incumbent provides ethical individual and group mental health services to eligible Veterans diagnosed with PTSD and trauma-related disordersGeneral duties also include - but are not limited to - referral services - providing entry-level services for Veterans of all service eras - formulating and providing individual and group treatments - and planning for follow-up care after completion of treatmentReferral to service providers - To facilitate the continuity of a Veteran's recovery - the PCT staff counselor will arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g. - services available through area agencies on aging - community support groups - etc.)The PCT staff counselor will collaborate information needed for the referralThe PCT staff counselor coordinates community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs - other governmental programs - and community agenciesResource Usage/Development - As a subject matter expert on the services and resources available to Veterans through both VA and the community - the PCT staff counselor will monitor patterns of resource availability - identifying unmet needs and the resultant impact on the Veteran's psychosocial functioningAdvocacy - The PCT staff counselor will advocate for Veterans to ensure that they have access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the communityBy availing the Veteran of his or her choices in complex decisions and by guiding the veteran through complicated enrollment procedures and bureaucratic processes - the PCT staff counselor facilitates the best possible outcome for the VeteranCrisis Intervention - The PCT staff counselor will assess and intervene in crises presented by the Veteran and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crisesEducation/Health promotion and prevention - The PCT staff counselor will provide education about VA and community resources - entitlement programs - VA benefits and Advance Directives/Living - completing the advanced directive or living will as requestedThe PCT staff counselor will refer Veterans and their families/caregivers to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needsNon-patient care responsibilities - The PCT staff counselor will enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic medical record using appropriate formats and templatesThis information will be entered in a complete - confidential - timely and professional manner to promote relevant and effective communication with other VA employees about the Veteran's careThe PCT staff counselor will establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees - volunteers - patients/consumers and other stakeholders within the VA and in outside community agenciesThe PCT staff counselor will attend all appropriate staff meetingsThe PCT staff counselor will collaborate in performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or programWork Schedule: Full Time 0730-1600 or 0800-1630 Telework: In accordance with VA Policy and Supervisor discretion Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Functional Statements: 92859 - 92860 Total Reward$ of an Allied Health Career FINAL.pdf