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.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and 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. English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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. 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: Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-12 Experience, Education, and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex LPMHC experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior LPMHCs must have five years of post-licensed experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise and be licensed to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Advanced knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex mental illness. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of veteran patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Ability to determine priority of services needed and provide specialized treatment. Advanced and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities for Veterans with complex needs. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling, or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial, and/or case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans. Ability to coordinate the delivery of specialized psychosocial services and programs. Ability to design system changes based on data. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the psychosocial treatment of patients, rendering professional opinions based on experience, expertise and role modeling effective clinical skills. Ability to teach, mentor staff and trainees, and provide supervision for licensure or for specialty certifications. Ability to engage in written and oral communication with leadership/staff and community stakeholders regarding policies, procedures, practice guidelines, and issues pertaining to the practice of the profession. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending, and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities it will be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. The incumbent must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties.
Duties & skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Responsible for ensuring that homeless or at-risk of homelessness veterans are considered as primary participants for program acceptance. The incumbent verifies the veteran's status, eligibility for VA medical care, & eligibility for program participation. The incumbent screens veterans for admission into HUDN ASH utilizing established prioritization & acuity scales. Responsible for providing case management for a caseload of veterans in the HUDVASH program. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, & the VA in establishing appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements. Performs site visits of HUD-VASH apartments to ensure that veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes. Serves as the subject matter expert on Tribal/HUDNASH relations. The incumbent will develop behavioral health related training curriculum & conduct trainings for Tribal communities, providers & VA staff. Responsible for collecting & submitting HUD-VASH Program participant data as outlined by HOMES evaluation procedures. Active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines. The incumbent is responsible for completing, documenting, & updating comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments & individualized treatment plans with veteran input according to Medical Center policies & Joint Commission & CARF accreditation standards. Responsible for providing HUD-VASH case management. Case management is defined as the provision of services by VA clinical staff to homeless veterans & includes all activities to provide appropriate treatment & maintain veterans in HUD approved stable housing. The incumbent will provide individual, family & group counseling as appropriate. Coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of the veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery & linking & referring veterans to the VA Health Care System, VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies. Provides guidance, emotional support & employs methods & techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship to assist the veteran in working towards healthy problem-solving, self­-empowerment & decision-making. Highly developed professional skills are routinely used to motivate clients to resume more effective control of their own life. Complies with criminal conflict of interest laws & Executive Branch Standards of conduct to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as the HUD-VASH Case Manager. Actively participates in the HUD-VASH Program conference calls & attends training offered. Actively participates in program planning & development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with caseloads & identifying the need for & making recommendations on program procedure or policy changes based upon work experiences. Takes responsibility for improving professional skills, participating in planning & executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars & institutes, & participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested. Works with VA Health Care System multi-disciplinary teams & community agencies to strive for developing more effective & efficient ways of delivering healthcare services to HUD-VASH Program veterans. The incumbent attends community meetings as requested/required, representing the VA Homeless Programs in a professional, collaborative manner. Provide consultation/education to veterans & families on community resources, advance directives, & VA benefits. Act as a consultant to other team/staff members. Act as liaison between VA & community resources, to include marketing & public relation duties as needed. Address Advance Directives & Organ Donation in accordance with the standards of their work area. Provide wellness/prevention education & facilitate patient/family support groups as appropriate. Participate in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the service manager. Assist patients & their significant others with coping & dealing with the loss & grief experiences in disability, terminal illness, & death. Document clinical interventions & activities in patient's clinical record utilizing CPRS & ensure appropriate hand off when transferring of patient care. Maintain familiarity & responsibility for all performance measures relating to the HUD-VASH Program. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60744-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more