Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

SummaryThis 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) & 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 ineligible to apply.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsCitizenship: 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.)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 CounselingCACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited programLicensure: 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 treatmentNOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health recordExceptionVHA 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 licensedThe appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance levelThis exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9)For grade levels at or above the full performance level - the candidate must be licensedEnglish Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoke and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3jGrade DeterminationsIn 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 licensureDemonstrate Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition - the candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 interventionsdemonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skillsAbility 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 backgroundsLicensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-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 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 supervisionDemonstrate Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition - the candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 familial counseling interventionsdemonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skillsAbility 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 psychotherapyReferences: 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 in the range of GS-09 to GS-11Physical Requirements: In Accordance With VA Directive and Handbook 5019DutiesBUTLER: Butler VA Health Care System is located in the heart of Butler County and convenient to community support services for Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio-area VeteransAt Butler VA Health Care System - we are Making Lives Better© for America's Veterans every day in every wayThe position is located in the Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC)The BHC provides ambulatory care services to substance abusing and emotionally ill male and female Veterans and their significant othersIn addition to substance abuse - a significant number of these patients have concurrent psychiatric disorders - personality disorders - medical conditions - and multiple psychosocial stressorsThus - the biopsychosocial status of many of the BHC patients is severely compromisedManagement prefers a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience with Substance Use Disorder - Evidenced Based Practices - Adults - Couples - Veterans - Trauma - Anxiety - and DepressionMajor duties include but are not limited to: Assessment: The incumbent independently conducts intake screenings and evaluations of Veterans and their significant othersWhen assessing Veterans for admission to the BHC - the incumbent uses the established biopsychosocial admissions criteria to determine the appropriateness of Veterans referred to the BHC for service in the different treatment componentsAfter admission - performs a comprehensive intake assessment that satisfies Joint Commission (JC) and other regulatory standardsWhile the patient is in treatment - the Behavioral Health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor continues to reassess and monitor the status of problematic behaviorsroutinely evaluates the impact that therapeutic interventions have on patient problemsassesses patients' progress toward meeting treatment goals and objectivesdetermines the need for additional assessment of specific problem areasconducts and documents a discharge assessment that summarizes the extent to which each problem is resolved and the extent to which additional treatment is neededTreatment: The Behavioral Health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor provides individual - group - and family psychotherapy - as well as crisis interventionWhen providing treatment - incumbent relies on own clinical judgment to address patient problems in a fashion that is consistent with the knowledge and skills of other professional staff with Master's level trainingConducts short - medium - long-term in-depth counseling and facilitates time-limited - closed - structured groups for patients with substance abuse problems - mental health problems - or co-morbid conditionsmay also facilitate group counseling and conduct assessmentsProvides crisis intervention and stabilization to patients and significant othersCrisis intervention requires the incumbent to function with a high degree of independent judgment in responding appropriately and quickly to unique needs/ dangers in crisis situationsThe incumbent develops and as needed - revises treatment plansThe incumbent will keep abreast of new treatment techniques and evidence-based practicesCase Management: The case management responsibilities of the Behavioral Health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor do not differ from other BHC staff (i.e. - Psychologist - Social Worker - or Nurse)If a patient is engaged in therapy with the counselor - he or she will be designated as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) as assignedThe role of the MHTC is to coordinate treatment activities to ensure that each patient is provided with an individualized - integrated - biopsychosocial approach to case managementProgram and Staff Development: The incumbent takes a supportive role in the administrative/clinical functions of the program such as quality assurance - peer review - program planning - preparation of reports - and other duties as assignedThe incumbent actively participates in BHC committeesprovides training to Medical Center and BHC staff through patient review conferences - BHC in-service programs - and medicaleducation presentationskeeps abreast of new developments in the field of behavioral healthand maintains accurate records and data needed for local and national reportsThe incumbent is also responsible for designing and conducting group therapy sessionsrecommending methods to improve the quality - quantity - and integration of treatment servicesOutreach activities are performed independently and in settings in which there is a significant lack of normal supervisory controls over his/her performanceWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: PD03124F EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHAVISN04HREDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more