Licensed Professional MH Counselor - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Case Manager

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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Duties

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• Serves as an advocate on behalf of Veterans, and their families, assigned to a BHIP team to ensure delivery of comprehensive, seamless mental health services is maintained throughout the continuum of care. This includes communication within and across the lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans.
• Acts as a clinical resource/point-of-contact to Veterans and other team/staff members.
• Conducts biopsychosocial assessements to determine care coordination and treatment needs of Veterans.
• Provides consultation/education to Veterans and families on VA resources (including self-management tools), community resources, advanced directives, and VA benefits.
• Actively participates in the treatment planning process with other disciplines.
• Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and is responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate to promote continuity of care.
• Acts as a liaison between VA and community resources, to include education and bidirectional communication that promotes seamless care.
• Serves on Interdisciplinary Treatment Team(s).
• Provides crisis intervention when indicated including timely assessment of at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plan as appropriate.
• Provides when needed, individual, family and group counseling.
• Provides wellness/prevention education and may facilitate patient/family educational/bridging supportive sessions as appropriate.
• Documents interventions and activities in patient's electronic health record and ensure appropriate hand-off communication and documentation when transferring patient care.
• Actively participate in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with care coordination needs and caseloads and identifying the need for making recommendations on program procedures and/or policy changes based upon work experiences.
• Takes responsibility for improving professional skills, participating in planning, and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested.
• Performs other BHIP-related duties as directed by the Supervisor, such as, but not limited to: Training/mentoring and oversight of new staff & those not yet clinically licensed and preparing for and training to staff on CARF & The Joint Commission standards and accreditation process.
• Follows national guidance and local policy and SOPs for the MHSL. This includes following policies and documentation requirements as required for CARF and The Joint Commission accreditation as well as other internal and external requirements.
• Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the supervisor and/or MHSL leadership.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Compressed/Flexible:May be available.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized.

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Jillana.martinez@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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 [work experience] or 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)

Telework: May be available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 60647-0 / 60648-0

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

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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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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.
  
  

Qualifications

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until June 30, 2025 or until filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be April 21, 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:

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 & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

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  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 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.
  
  

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 positive education & licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determinations.

LPMHC GS-9 (Entry Level)

Experience, Education, & Licensure. The GS-9 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.

• Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-9 LPMHCs are typically assigned to VHA areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Under supervision, LPMHCs at this level provide professional mental health counseling services.
  
  

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 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; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity & possesses multicultural counseling skills.
• 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. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee.

• Assignments. At this level they are licensed to independently practice professional counseling & to provide mental health services within the knowledge, theory, & training foundations of professional counseling. LPMHCs may be assigned to any VHA area, consulting with peers & supervisors as appropriate. LPMHCs may be involved in program evaluation &/or research activities.
  
  

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 familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity & possesses multicultural counseling skills.
• 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: VA experience.



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. 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. Normal work of the position requires visual acuity, keen hearing (aid permitted), clear distinctive speech, & manual dexterity. Potentially requires moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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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.