Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

02Education

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. (TRANSCRIPT MUST BE PROVIDED WITH APPLICATION) 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. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies up to the full performance level.

For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. 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. Grade Level Requirements: GS-11 (Full Performance Level): 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 in subparagraph (c) below. 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. GS-09 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1.

Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. 2. Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices. 3.

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. 4. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 5.

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. 6. 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. 7.

Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. 8. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. 9. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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.

03Preferred Experience

Assess and address patient needs in treatment planning Proficient in individual, group, couples, and family therapy 2+ years' experience in outpatient Mental Health and/or Primary Care Mental Health Integration Reference: 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.

04Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) provides a full range of clinical services to Veterans with mental health and substance use disorders in an outpatient behavioral health setting. Major duties include: Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, mental health evaluations, and substance use assessments to determine treatment needs, level of care, and program eligibility. Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans using a recovery-oriented, Veteran-centered approach.

• Provide individual, group, and family counseling services utilizing evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Deliver crisis intervention, risk assessment, stabilization services, and timely clinical responses to Veterans experiencing acute psychological distress.
• Monitor treatment progress through ongoing reassessment, documentation, and evaluation of therapeutic outcomes.

Serve as a Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) when assigned, ensuring coordination and integration of services across interdisciplinary treatment teams. Collaborate with providers and staff from Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Specialty Clinics, Nursing, Social Work, Rehabilitation Services, Chaplain Service, and other disciplines to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Prepare diagnostic summaries and clinical documentation that support treatment planning, continuity of care, and compliance with accreditation and documentation standards. Coordinate case management activities, including referrals, follow-up services, discharge planning, and linkage to community resources. Assess patient needs related to housing, food security, transportation, benefits, and other psychosocial concerns and facilitate appropriate referrals.

Educate Veterans and family members regarding treatment options, available resources, VA benefits, and community support services. Facilitate psychoeducational, process-oriented, and structured therapeutic groups for Veterans with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings and communicate clinical findings to relevant healthcare providers.

• Conduct discharge assessments and develop aftercare plans to ensure continuity of treatment and recovery support.
• Support quality improvement initiatives, program evaluation activities, policy development, and performance improvement efforts within Behavioral Health programs.
• Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based practices, emerging treatment modalities, and developments in behavioral health care.

Perform community outreach activities to increase access to behavioral health services for Veterans and their families, including underserved populations. Utilize electronic health record systems and other health information technologies to maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical records. Protect patient confidentiality and ensure compliance with applicable privacy, information security, and regulatory requirements.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (subject to change based on the needs of the facility.) Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01722F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized