What are the responsibilities and job description for the LPMHC Section Chief 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 (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.
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Duties
This position will have administrative oversight and supervisory responsibility for the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Teams, Mental Health CONNECT, and Trauma Recovery Services Teams at the CBOCs and the North Battlefield Clinic. This is a multi-disciplinary position that will be advertised as a Psychiatrist, Psychologist Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHCs), Social Worker.
Program Administrative/Supervisory Responsibilities
Responsibilities of this position include administrative oversight of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs, MH CONNECT, and Trauma Recovery Services at the CBOCs and North Battlefield Clinic.
Ensures the quality and safety of the care, treatment and services provided by the CBOC MH Section in the MHBS service. This requires ongoing monitoring and evaluating of the quality and safety of services provided as well as appropriateness of care and treatment.
Assist in identification of important aspects of care for the CBOCs, identification of indicators used to measure and assess important aspects of care and evaluating of the quality and appropriateness of care.
Directly or through multiple subordinate supervisors, he/she will be responsible for the oversight of 140 FTEE to include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychology technicians, marriage and family therapists, LPMHCs, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Liaisons in collaboration with the Chief of MHBS, the CBOC Administrator , Health Administration Service, Primary Care at the CBOCs, and Nursing Services at the CBOCs.
Responsible for ensuring that the BHIP and TRS program meet all applicable practice requirements and standards and is responsible for the professional, management, and administrative aspects of all of these teams, which delivers mental health services to Veterans in an outpatient setting.
Personnel supervised represent major components of the medical center and the services supervised are highly complex and broad in scope.
Coordinates multiple legs of the program across sites including day to day activities of the program, establishes and adheres to governing policies, monitors outcomes of these programs using data-driven processes, and implements action plans based on this data analysis.
Supervisory responsibilities include ongoing evaluation of staffing needs and personnel assignments in these programs, periodic updating of position descriptions and functional statements, coordination of credentialing and privileging, coordination of competency evaluations, completing performance appraisals, and professional and administrative supervision as appropriate and necessary.
Supervision and resource management involves major decisions. Work activities and supervision significantly impact the ability of staff to provide comprehensive services to Veterans.
Monitors and ensures compliance with Joint Commission and other accreditation bodies.
Decisions are made with very wide latitude and independent judgment.
Clinical Responsibilities
Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs.
Coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs.
Has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan.
Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions.
Other Significant Responsibilities
Has contact on a regular and recurring basis with individuals representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
Serves on decision-making committees and task forces at the medical center.
Represents the medical center and VISN 6 at professional and community events and committees, in conferences and meetings with higher-ranking managers, supervisors, and staff from other disciplines or work units, and with representatives of local public interest groups, congressional district offices, and employees of State and local governments.
Regularly reviews, revises, and writes service line policies.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8-4:30pm
Telework: Ad-Hoc as described in agency policy
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact veronica.richardson3@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
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-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.
NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
Loss of Licensure. Once licensed, LPMHCs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnosis and treatment. Loss of licensure will result in removal from the GS-0183 LPMHC occupation and may result in termination of employment.
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).
Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager), GS-13
Experience, Education and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. The experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.
Assignments. LPMHCs manage the daily operations of multiple programs, develop and implement program policies and procedures, or serve as chief or principal counselor to a number of LPHMCs. They are responsible for oversight of administrative and programmatic resources and monitoring of outcomes. They prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national leadership. Decisions may affect staff and other resources associated with the programs managed and are made while exercising wide latitude and independent judgment. They may be responsible for the program's budget. They may also supervise employees assigned to the program.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate 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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary in nature and usually occurs within climate controlled clinical and administrative settings. Use of fingers may be required to operate computers. There may be occasional light lifting/carrying (15 pounds or less) requirements to relocate boxed materials from one area to another, equipment and room set-up, and ambulation related to physical inspections of the facilities.
Education
If you are not already an LPMHC with Veterans Health Administration, a copy of your transcripts are required in order to be considered.
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.
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.
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.
Help
Duties
This position will have administrative oversight and supervisory responsibility for the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Teams, Mental Health CONNECT, and Trauma Recovery Services Teams at the CBOCs and the North Battlefield Clinic. This is a multi-disciplinary position that will be advertised as a Psychiatrist, Psychologist Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHCs), Social Worker.
Program Administrative/Supervisory Responsibilities
Responsibilities of this position include administrative oversight of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs, MH CONNECT, and Trauma Recovery Services at the CBOCs and North Battlefield Clinic.
Ensures the quality and safety of the care, treatment and services provided by the CBOC MH Section in the MHBS service. This requires ongoing monitoring and evaluating of the quality and safety of services provided as well as appropriateness of care and treatment.
Assist in identification of important aspects of care for the CBOCs, identification of indicators used to measure and assess important aspects of care and evaluating of the quality and appropriateness of care.
Directly or through multiple subordinate supervisors, he/she will be responsible for the oversight of 140 FTEE to include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychology technicians, marriage and family therapists, LPMHCs, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Liaisons in collaboration with the Chief of MHBS, the CBOC Administrator , Health Administration Service, Primary Care at the CBOCs, and Nursing Services at the CBOCs.
Responsible for ensuring that the BHIP and TRS program meet all applicable practice requirements and standards and is responsible for the professional, management, and administrative aspects of all of these teams, which delivers mental health services to Veterans in an outpatient setting.
Personnel supervised represent major components of the medical center and the services supervised are highly complex and broad in scope.
Coordinates multiple legs of the program across sites including day to day activities of the program, establishes and adheres to governing policies, monitors outcomes of these programs using data-driven processes, and implements action plans based on this data analysis.
Supervisory responsibilities include ongoing evaluation of staffing needs and personnel assignments in these programs, periodic updating of position descriptions and functional statements, coordination of credentialing and privileging, coordination of competency evaluations, completing performance appraisals, and professional and administrative supervision as appropriate and necessary.
Supervision and resource management involves major decisions. Work activities and supervision significantly impact the ability of staff to provide comprehensive services to Veterans.
Monitors and ensures compliance with Joint Commission and other accreditation bodies.
Decisions are made with very wide latitude and independent judgment.
Clinical Responsibilities
Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs.
Coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs.
Has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan.
Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions.
Other Significant Responsibilities
Has contact on a regular and recurring basis with individuals representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
Serves on decision-making committees and task forces at the medical center.
Represents the medical center and VISN 6 at professional and community events and committees, in conferences and meetings with higher-ranking managers, supervisors, and staff from other disciplines or work units, and with representatives of local public interest groups, congressional district offices, and employees of State and local governments.
Regularly reviews, revises, and writes service line policies.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8-4:30pm
Telework: Ad-Hoc as described in agency policy
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact veronica.richardson3@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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. 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).
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-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.
NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
Loss of Licensure. Once licensed, LPMHCs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnosis and treatment. Loss of licensure will result in removal from the GS-0183 LPMHC occupation and may result in termination of employment.
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).
Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager), GS-13
Experience, Education and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. The experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.
Assignments. LPMHCs manage the daily operations of multiple programs, develop and implement program policies and procedures, or serve as chief or principal counselor to a number of LPHMCs. They are responsible for oversight of administrative and programmatic resources and monitoring of outcomes. They prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national leadership. Decisions may affect staff and other resources associated with the programs managed and are made while exercising wide latitude and independent judgment. They may be responsible for the program's budget. They may also supervise employees assigned to the program.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:
- Ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management.
- Ability to monitor program outcomes using data driven quality assurance process.
- Ability to develop productivity standards appropriate to each service provided.
- Ability to manage a wide range of programs which include the operation and management of key clinical, training or administrative programs.
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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary in nature and usually occurs within climate controlled clinical and administrative settings. Use of fingers may be required to operate computers. There may be occasional light lifting/carrying (15 pounds or less) requirements to relocate boxed materials from one area to another, equipment and room set-up, and ambulation related to physical inspections of the facilities.
Education
If you are not already an LPMHC with Veterans Health Administration, a copy of your transcripts are required in order to be considered.
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.
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.
Read more
- 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 : $106,950 - $139,036
