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.
Applicants 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 Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education: VHA LPMHC must 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. 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-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 treatment. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-09 Experience, Education, and Licensure. The 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 level. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in the basic requirements, and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application 6 of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices. Basic 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 span. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions. Ability 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 effectively. Basic 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 Telehealth. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. GS-11 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. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee. Some state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. Please refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 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. 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. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions. 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. 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. Note: KSAs must be clearly reflected in your resume under description of duties to be found qualified for this position/grade level. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary and primarily performed in an office setting.
The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) will be part of the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) at the Dayton VA Medical Center and the position requires extensive work with MH RRTP Veterans diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders as well as those who are homeless. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Screening of potential Veterans who have been referred to the program and collaborate with providers to determine suitability for program. Complete a comprehensive psychosocial assessment on the Veteran, taking into account the presenting problems, historical information, medical and psychiatric issues, legal implications, the present environment, significant others and the current support systems. Collaborate with various agencies and providers working with the Veteran to gather collateral information and for continuity of care. Review all data and make a clinical assessment, identifying needs and strengths. Utilize advanced clinical training, insight and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options. Provide explanation of the different levels of care available and why one level may benefit the Veteran more than another. Utilize advanced clinical judgment to determine the appropriate level of care and to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Provide orientation and overall program information to the Veterans and others involved in their care. Utilize advanced clinical skills to work with Veterans who are considered a high-risk population and who have high recidivism rates. The Veterans' lack of support (community and/or family), inability to cope and problem solve, non-compliance with treatment and poor self-monitoring all lend themselves to the need for professional support and therapeutic modalities utilized in a residential setting. Independently initiate and provide creative solutions to reoccurring problems, such as a loss of resources. Make clinical diagnoses based on the psychosocial assessment, utilizing professional judgment and advance practice skills. Perform insightful assessment of complicated cases involving mental illness, legal consequences, transmittable and terminal medical conditions, addictions and other high risk factors. Utilize advanced clinical training to assess the Veteran's current situation and its far reaching implications. Evaluate the motivation for treatment and determine the willingness or ability to comply with the treatment recommendations. Assist Veteran with discharge planning and appropriate referrals for community re-entry to include assisting Veterans with finding housing. Utilize advanced clinical skills to incorporate the Veteran, past experience, current problems, significant others, community agencies and the interdisciplinary team into the treatment planning process. Consult with other specialists in planning treatment for Veterans with co-morbidities. Utilize the psychosocial assessment to suggest plans for the course of treatment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Functional Statement #: 91907-A, 91908-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized