Licensed Professional MH Counselor - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Case Manager

Description:

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval , award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Requirements:

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until June 30, 2025 or until filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be April 21, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. ***

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education. Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

• 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 counseling.

Licensure . Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in VHA must hold a full, current, & unrestricted license to independently practice as a LPMHC which includes diagnosis & treatment.

• Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure.

Grandfather Provision. All persons employed in VHA in as LPMHC on the effective date of this qualification standard (4/3/2018) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education & licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determinations.

LPMHC GS-9 (Entry Level)

Experience, Education, & Licensure. The GS-9 grade level for LPMHCs with less than 1 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 level. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education, & are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure.

• Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-9 LPMHCs are typically assigned to VHA areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Under supervision, LPMHCs at this level provide professional mental health counseling services.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

1. Ability to engage in intake & assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning & implementation, continuum of care, evaluation & follow-up.
2. Knowledge of current Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices.
3. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, & strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, & career development across the life span.
4. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity & possesses multicultural counseling skills.
5. Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, & relational functioning of individuals, groups & families & on the counseling approaches, strategies, & techniques that will best help patients function effectively.
6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely & thorough clinical documentation & delivery of services, such as Telehealth.
7. Ability to learn & utilize software programs in use by VHA.
8. Knowledge & understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, regulations affecting professional practice of counseling.
9. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally & in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.

LPMHC , GS-11 (Full Performance Level)

Experience, Education, & Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 1 year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) & must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee.

• Assignments. At this level they are licensed to independently practice professional counseling & to provide mental health services within the knowledge, theory, & training foundations of professional counseling. LPMHCs may be assigned to any VHA area, consulting with peers & supervisors as appropriate. LPMHCs may be involved in program evaluation &/or research activities.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities . In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, & recommendation for treatment planning & implementation.
2. Advanced knowledge & mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems & maintaining an effective counseling relationship.
3. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues & trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings & discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases & confer about the counseling perspectives & orientation.
4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention & stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment & skill.
5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, & psychosocial assessment.
6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity & possesses multicultural counseling skills.
7. Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses & formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices.
8. Ability to develop & facilitate psychotherapy & psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, & community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy.

Preferred Experience: VA experience.

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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Must be physically & mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Normal work of the position requires visual acuity, keen hearing (aid permitted), clear distinctive speech, & manual dexterity. Potentially requires moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.