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 RequirementsCitizenshipBe a citizen of the United StatesEducationHold 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 programNOTE: 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-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 licensedThe Human Resources Office will provide the unlicensed LPMHC in writing the requirement to obtain licensure - the date by which the license must be acquired - and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadlineThe written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty dateEnglish Language ProficiencyLPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3.jGrade DeterminationsLicensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-9 Experience - Education - and LicensureThis 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 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 backgrounds(2) Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-11 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 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 psychotherapy May 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)Reference: 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019DutiesThis is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026 or until all positions are filledThe initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 27 April 2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeksEligible applications received after that date will be referred to at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filledThis position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (HVAMC) - under the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences (MH&BS) Service LineThis position is aligned with the BHIP/Outpatient Mental HealthServices at one of Hampton's Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) or Outpatient Clinics (OPC/HCC)Clinical Responsibilities aIndependently performs case/care management functions and outreach - identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needsPossesses the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities - provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals - families - and groupsbIndependently conducts psychosocial assessmentsDevelops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team if applicablePossesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventionscCoordinates community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs - other government programs and community agency programsdIndependently identifies high-risk patients and provides crisis intervention services - seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint - coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family membersProvides support for those Veterans on the High Risk for Suicide listeHas working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment proceduresThis includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminologyfDevelops patient education materials/modules and assists with Veteran Peer and Family activities as assignedgIndependently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on healthcare and adherence to treatment planAbility to evaluate own practice through professional peer review - case conferences and other organizational meansAble to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - with people from varied backgroundshServes as Mental Health Treatment Coordinator for the patients on assigned teamiIndependently coordinates with other services to include - but not limited to Primary Care - Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) - MH Connect Team - Inpatient Psychiatry Team - and/or Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Program to ensure Veterans needs are metAdministrative Responsibilities aPossesses working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing - data management and other computer systems - especially those programs in use by VHAbAdheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team - assigned program and/clinic - Community Based Clinics - and the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences ServicecAttends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the LPMHC Supervisor - the Program Manager - Service Chief - Chief of Staff - and/or Medical Center DirectordRemains actively involved in CBOC and MH&BS LPMHC training - education - and administrative activities as indicatedeActively participates in and assumes responsibilities associated with committee assignments to include Performance Improvement - Peer Review - and Performance MeasuresfAssists as requested - with staff education and training on assigned topicsgPerforms other related duties as assignedWork Schedule: Monday - Friday 8-4:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact Monique.Head@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized