What are the responsibilities and job description for the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Service position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
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 (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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Duties
Duties include, but are not limited, to:
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) (GS-11): Functions as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) in Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) who works as the interface between primary care (PC) and mental health care in an integrated care model. The position is assigned to the Mental Health Service and requires extensive work with Veterans diagnosed with medical conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders (SUD). This position also requires advanced training in the management of crisis situations. The PCMHI LPMHC assures adequate identification and treatment of a variety of emotional and psychiatric problems of Veterans in a PC setting. This position can be located in Dayton, Lima, Springfield, or Middletown, Ohio.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Clinic (GS-11): Functions as a LPMHC in the Mental Health Clinic under the Outpatient Mental Health section of the Mental Health Service. Requires a high level of skill in assessing in treating the complicated mental health and psychosocial problems of Veterans. Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement goal-oriented evidence-based psychotherapy within a 12-16 session episode of care, including psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups. Independently conducts bio-psychosocial assessments. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and within their interdisciplinary treatment team. Able to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community agency programs. This position is located at the Dayton VA Medical Center.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (GS-11): Functions as an LPMHC in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. This LPMHC primarily provides case management to Veteran Residents of the MH RRTP. Requires extensive work with MH RRTP Veterans diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders as well as those who are homeless. The substance use and mental health population of Veterans will receive a variety of therapeutic services such as medication assisted therapy, addiction education, evidenced based psycho-education, psychotherapy, group therapy, case management, discharge planning, and service coordination. This position is located at the Dayton VA Medical Center.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Outpatient Clinic/Ambulatory Care (GS-11): Requires initiative on behalf of the incumbent and the ability to prioritize tasks without immediate supervision. The position requires extensive work with veterans diagnosed with mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Veterans will receive a variety of evidence-based therapeutic services such as individual, family, and group psychotherapies, case management, and service coordination. The incumbent provides these services at an independent practice level to eligible Veterans to meet biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs. Located in Lima, Ohio.
Work Schedule: To be discussed during interview but generally Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Functional Statement #: 92953-0; 91980-A; 91530-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Functional Statement #: 91991-0, 92953-0, 91907-A
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Basic Requirements:
Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, 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.
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:
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.
Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary and primarily performed in an office setting. Typical office work involves active listening, reading, observing, and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, writing reports and clinical notes. The position requires the use of office equipment such as computers, keyboards, telephones, fax machines, and photocopy machines. Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity are required. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. If required as a condition of employment, the incumbent must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, employee physicals, etc.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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 (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Help
Duties
Duties include, but are not limited, to:
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) (GS-11): Functions as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) in Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) who works as the interface between primary care (PC) and mental health care in an integrated care model. The position is assigned to the Mental Health Service and requires extensive work with Veterans diagnosed with medical conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders (SUD). This position also requires advanced training in the management of crisis situations. The PCMHI LPMHC assures adequate identification and treatment of a variety of emotional and psychiatric problems of Veterans in a PC setting. This position can be located in Dayton, Lima, Springfield, or Middletown, Ohio.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Clinic (GS-11): Functions as a LPMHC in the Mental Health Clinic under the Outpatient Mental Health section of the Mental Health Service. Requires a high level of skill in assessing in treating the complicated mental health and psychosocial problems of Veterans. Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement goal-oriented evidence-based psychotherapy within a 12-16 session episode of care, including psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups. Independently conducts bio-psychosocial assessments. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and within their interdisciplinary treatment team. Able to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community agency programs. This position is located at the Dayton VA Medical Center.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (GS-11): Functions as an LPMHC in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. This LPMHC primarily provides case management to Veteran Residents of the MH RRTP. Requires extensive work with MH RRTP Veterans diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders as well as those who are homeless. The substance use and mental health population of Veterans will receive a variety of therapeutic services such as medication assisted therapy, addiction education, evidenced based psycho-education, psychotherapy, group therapy, case management, discharge planning, and service coordination. This position is located at the Dayton VA Medical Center.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Outpatient Clinic/Ambulatory Care (GS-11): Requires initiative on behalf of the incumbent and the ability to prioritize tasks without immediate supervision. The position requires extensive work with veterans diagnosed with mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Veterans will receive a variety of evidence-based therapeutic services such as individual, family, and group psychotherapies, case management, and service coordination. The incumbent provides these services at an independent practice level to eligible Veterans to meet biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs. Located in Lima, Ohio.
Work Schedule: To be discussed during interview but generally Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Functional Statement #: 92953-0; 91980-A; 91530-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Functional Statement #: 91991-0, 92953-0, 91907-A
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
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 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-0101 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.
Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, 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.
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:
- 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.
- 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 familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 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).
- 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. 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).
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.
Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary and primarily performed in an office setting. Typical office work involves active listening, reading, observing, and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, writing reports and clinical notes. The position requires the use of office equipment such as computers, keyboards, telephones, fax machines, and photocopy machines. Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity are required. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. If required as a condition of employment, the incumbent must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, employee physicals, etc.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C
- 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R
- 920.201, certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA atvacofairchanceact@va.gov. Applicant written complaints should include the following:
- Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
- Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known)
- Date of contact
- Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint
- Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) (va.gov) for more information
- Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Salary : $417
