Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (EDRP Authorized)

SummaryThis position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program - 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyIn 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 EnglishEducation - Master's or doctoral degree in one of the following: Clinical Mental Health CounselingClinical 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 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counselingLicensure - Must hold a full - current - and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - which includes diagnosis and treatmentNOTE: Applicants pending the completion of the licensure requirement may be selected (GS-09 only) and given up to a three-year temporary appointmentGrandfather 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 requirementsGrade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each gradeThe candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the gradeGS-09 LPMHC (Entry Level) Requirements: Along with meeting the basic education requirements for this position you must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: 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 LPMHC (Full Performance Level) Requirements: 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 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 (GS-09): Experience or training in an interdisciplinary mental health setting or clinic that serve adultsEntry level experience or training working with a variety of mental health patients and diagnosesAbility to perform intake evaluations - diagnose - create treatment plans with identifiable goals Ability to provide wide range of psychotherapeutic treatments such as individual and groups therapiesExperience with medical record documentation Experience with crisis interventions - risk assessmentsPreferred Experience (GS-11): Minimum of 3 years' experience working in an interdisciplinary mental health setting or clinic that serve primarily adultsExperience consulting with colleagues on mental health issues in a team settingAbility to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic treatments such as individual and group therapies for a variety of mental health diagnoses Experience with medical record documentation and utilization of the DSMExperience in providing complex crisis interventions - risk assessments and managing high risk populationsReference: 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.DutiesThis position is located at Villa Serena- 4455 Horizon Hill BlvdSan Antonio - TX 78229 The LPMHC for whom this functional statement applies is assigned to the Psychiatry Service of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System- Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment ProgramProvides a full range of psychological services and diagnoses mental disorders - particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disordersProvides education to patients - family members - and significant othersProvides a range of psychological therapeutic interventions with individuals with mental health and substance use disorders utilizing empirically supported modalities when indicatedConsults with and serves as a resource for other professional personnel concerning the need for - evaluation of - and development of psychological services in STVHCSMay be asked to assist in the selection - training - and supervision of staff at lower grades within assigned program area - DRRTP or Mental Health Service Line or STVHCS to include the LPMHC training program Work Schedule: 0900-1730 Tuesday - Thursday 0800-1630 Friday & Saturday Telework: ADHOC only - as determined by Agency policyVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 53713-F/53712-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized