Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Description:

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor functions as a licensed independent provider within a multidisciplinary mental health team. The incumbent provides both on-site and virtual care to veteran's presenting with a wide range of behavioral health concerns. Services provided include evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning, interventions, care management and transition from the mental health clinic at episode of care completion.

Requirements:

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 and 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. English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j. 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).

In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the education, experience, licensure and KSA's below:

GS-11-LPMHC (Full Performance Level) Education: Hold a master's degree in mental health 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; and Marriage and Family Therapy. Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 1 year of postmaster's degree mental health counseling experience. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-101 series at the full performance level must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnosis and treatment. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). The candidates must demonstrate the following 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 students 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. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced-based practices and screening/assessment. 6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 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 deliver psycho-education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration.
Preferred Experience: Highly qualified applicants will have experience in general Outpatient Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care and evidence based treatments.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/106, PART II, APPENDIX G43

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis.