Summary

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. 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship
Be a citizen of the United States
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 and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or 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 Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling
CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program
Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/
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 the GS-0101 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 treatment
English Language Proficiency
LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Regulations
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)
Must pass a background check
Grade Determinations: GS-11 LPMHC Assignments
This is the full performance grade level for LPMHCs
At this level, they are licensed to independently practice professional counseling and to provide mental health services within the knowledge, theory, and training foundations of professional counseling
LPMHCs may be assigned to any VHA area, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate
LPMHCs may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities
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 KSAs below
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1
Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation
2
Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship
3
Ability 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 orientation
4
Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress
Requires independent judgment and skill
5
Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment
6
Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills
7
Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices
8
Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration
This may include evidence based psychotherapy
References: VA Handbook 5005/106, Part II, Appendix G43, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR QUALIFICATION STANDARD The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-11
Physical Requirements: Usually works indoors in areas which normally have adequate heat, light, and ventilation
The work is primarily sedentary; however, there is some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as papers, files, manuals and records.

Duties "*This is an open continuous announcement.
Certificates of eligible applicants will be issued as vacancies exist.
Each location listed may or may not have a current vacant position.
Functions of LPMHC Clinical Responsibilities (95% of time): 1.
Provides counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and families in collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health staff to serve Veterans as needed or assigned.
2.
Provides group counseling services in collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health staff for all Veterans seeking mental health treatment.
3.
Consults with Medical Center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues.
4.
Willingly accepts additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals or Veteran needs.
5.
Completes all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system in a timely and accurate manner, as appropriate.
6.
Provides case management services to assist Veteran patients to gain access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services.
Other Significant Responsibilities (5% time): 1.
Serves on mental health committees or task forces.
2.
Represents the Medical Center at professional/program community group/events and committees.
3.
Participates in ongoing performance improvement initiatives.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"