This role is centered on delivering outpatient mental health therapy services to Veterans affiliated with the Outpatient Mental Health Service at the Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic located on Erie Blvd West in Syracuse, NY, or at the Oswego VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, both part of the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The primary responsibilities include the provision of psychiatric intervention, mental health treatment, and stabilization to Veterans within an outpatient clinic setting.
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. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). 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-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. NOTE: 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 record. 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). Preferred Experience: One year of post-master's experience as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 1 year of post-master's degree mental health counseling experience; OR In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in mental health counseling, or a related field may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional mental health counseling experience. Reference: References: VA Handbook 5005/50, part II, Appendix G43 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary.
The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is a full-time position assigned to the Outpatient Mental Health Service of the Syracuse VA medical Center and based in the Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (BHOC) in Syracuse, NY or the Oswego NY VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Please note: This position is located at the Syracuse Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (BHOC) Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: The incumbent is tasked with delivering psychotherapeutic treatment to individuals, couples, and occasionally groups, focusing on mental health symptoms and emotional challenges. The primary objectives are to alleviate these symptoms, enhance self-awareness and self-management, and foster recovery and overall well-being for Veterans. The candidate possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills, allowing for effective interactions with diverse individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. The incumbent collaborates with Veterans and their chosen Caregivers to determine the most suitable clinical approaches for providing comprehensive, recovery-focused, strength-based, and trauma-informed mental health care. Work together with the Veteran to conduct a comprehensive psychosocial assessment and formulate treatment plans that emphasize mental health treatment options customized to the Veteran's unique needs. The incumbent will partner with the Veteran to establish a treatment plan that incorporates achievable goals, using Measurement Based Care tools as a fundamental element. Familiarity with treatment protocols for various psychiatric disorders, expertise in evidence-based practice protocols, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Additionally, possess a general understanding of the effects and side effects associated with common psychotropic medications. Proficiency in mental health and medical diagnoses, utilizing suitable terminology to facilitate effective communication with fellow healthcare professionals. Clinical documentation of treatment interventions is written within an electronic health record system, where the incumbent will also review progress notes from other providers to assess the strengths and challenges faced by Veterans, ensuring a comprehensive approach to care. The incumbent routinely assesses the mental health needs of Veterans during their outpatient treatment, working closely with the clinical team to ensure a smooth progression through care. This strategy focuses on guiding Veterans to the least restrictive mental health services while maintaining their psychiatric stability. Prioritizing effective communication, the incumbent coordinates services to enable seamless transitions between different levels of care. Experience in conducting rapid assessments and creating crisis management strategies for Veterans that may require psychiatric hospitalization or ability to assess readiness for admission to mental health/substance abuse residential programs. Competence in collaborative clinical discussions and advocacy for the psychosocial/mental health needs of Veterans, addressing how these issues impact health and mental health care and psychiatric treatment adherence. Possess a general understanding of Veterans' benefits and services, including specialized programs and compensation options. Other Significant Responsibilities The LPMHC participates in committee assignments, discipline specific meetings and initiatives, as deemed necessary by the service manager. May provide supervision to a LPMHC Intern or be generally involved with the mental health counseling training program. The incumbent is expected to participate in professional activities with his/her respective discipline and when need. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Telework: Not Available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Note: This position may be filled by a Psychologist, Social Worker or Licensed Mental Health Professional (LPMHC). These three positions are advertised separately on USAJobs. If you are interested in any position, please apply to the respective job announcement. This vacancy is a multi-disciplinary announcement. If you are a Psychologist and are interested in applying, please apply here If you are a Social Worker and are interested in applying, please apply here