This 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.
*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until December 29, 2025 or until the position is filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be October 28, 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency. LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken & written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005. 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). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, & Family Counseling. Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series 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. The 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. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. 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 education & licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Must meet one of the provisions listed in the qualification standard. Grade Determinations: LPMHC, GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience, Education, & Licensure. The GS-9 grade level is the entry 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to engage in intake & assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning & implementation, continuum of care, evaluation & follow-up. Knowledge of current Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals & 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, & strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, & 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, & relational functioning of individuals, groups & families & on the counseling approaches, strategies, & 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 & thorough clinical documentation & delivery of services, such as Telehealth. Ability to learn & utilize software programs in use by VHA. Knowledge & understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, & regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. 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. 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: Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, & recommendation for treatment planning & implementation. Advanced knowledge & mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems & maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 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. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention & stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment & skill. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced-based practices, screening, & 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 & formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices. Ability to develop & facilitate psychotherapy & psycho-education groups that include life skills, family support, & community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy. Preferred Experience: Extensive experience in working with PTSD, including familiarity with cognitive behavior therapy (CPT) for PTSD, prolonged exposure (PE), written exposure therapy (WET) for PTSD, & other evidence-based protocols (EBPs). Proficient in suicide prevention & capable in mental health crisis care. Completion of evidence-based protocols (EBPs) training with certification. Reference: For more information on this qualification st&ard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationSt&ards/. 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. Requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain, corrective lenses are permitted), keen hearing (aid permitted), clear distinctive speech, & manual dexterity. Moderate levels of lifting & carrying (15-44lbs). Occasional exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Completes annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Provides specialized treatment of PTSD and associated mental health needs in the Mental Health Programs. Incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses. Evaluates the client's situation, including the Veteran's reaction and ability to deal with it, and arrives at a reasoned conclusion. Provides individual, group and family psychotherapy interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbid mental health needs. Implements use of Measurement Based Care for measuring effectiveness of clinical practice and services in specialty areas, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services. Develops treatment plans in coordination with appropriate PCT and BHIP Team Members, including goals for treatment. Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. Demonstrates the ability to make treatment plan changes based on empirical findings as well as to provide a flexible work schedule to accommodate emergency or urgent care matters. Interviews Veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the Veteran's functioning and health. Uses subjective and objective data in making clinical assessment of the Veteran's needs. Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight. Uses advanced clinical training, and experience to identify viable treatment options and makes appropriate referrals for care. Works with Veterans who are not able to engage in the detailed depth of PCT care by aiding in their return to Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) where they will gain coping skills in effort to improve the success rate in future Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (EBP). Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary disposition plan involving the Veterans and family or significant others. Assesses serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses. Makes independent professional decisions and recommendations for treatment. Finds a suitable means of treatment to help Veterans and/or significant others cope with stressful situations. Provides quality therapy by utilizing Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (EBP) in the treatment of Veterans served and utilizes nationally provided EBP templates to properly capture care provided. Concludes the appropriate action, even in instances where actions can have serious impact on the life of the Veterans. Evaluates his/her practice as a clinician on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, or other organized means. Acts as a community and family liaison by initiating and maintaining necessary contact with the patient, his/her family, VA Healthcare System service programs and personnel, mental health agencies, and other related resource agencies. Provides support and consultation to these varying individuals, programs, and agencies as necessary or in the best interest of the patient. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 59257A; 59258A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized