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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoke and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grandfathering Provision: 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. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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 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. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Crisis management/suicide prevention work 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service
The position is located in the Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC). The BHC provides ambulatory care services to substance abusing and emotionally ill male and female Veterans and their significant others. In addition to substance abuse, a significant number of these patients have concurrent psychiatric disorders, personality disorders, medical conditions, and multiple psychosocial stressors. Thus, the biopsychosocial status of many of the BHC patients is severely compromised. The SPCM's duties are primarily clinical in nature, but there are some administrative duties associated with the role. Assessment: The incumbent independently conducts VA-approved screenings and evaluations of Veterans when identified as being in crisis or at risk for hurting self or others. When assessing Veterans for admission to the BHC, the incumbent uses the established biopsychosocial admissions criteria to determine the appropriateness of Veterans referred to the BHC for service in the different treatment components with special emphasis on crisis intervention. While the patient is in treatment, the SPCM continues to reassess and monitor the status of problematic behaviors; routinely evaluates the impact that therapeutic interventions have on patient problems; assesses patients' progress toward meeting treatment goals and objectives; and determines the need for additional assessment of specific problem areas. Treatment: The Behavioral Health Licensed Clinical Social Worker SPCM provides treatment with a special emphasis on crisis intervention and stabilization. When providing treatment, incumbent relies on own clinical judgment to address patient problems in a fashion that is consistent with the knowledge and skills of other professional staff with master's level training. May conduct psychotherapy for patients with substance abuse problems, mental health problems, or co-morbid conditions. Provides crisis intervention and stabilization to patients and significant others. Crisis intervention requires the incumbent to function with a high degree of independent judgment in responding appropriately and quickly to unique needs/dangers in crisis situations. He/she will keep abreast of new treatment techniques and evidence-based practices. Finally, the Behavioral Health Licensed Clinical Social Worker SPCM documents patients' responses to treatment in a manner that facilitates the use of this information by other members of the interdisciplinary team. Case Management The incumbent manages and monitors services for Veterans designated as high risk for suicide throughout the medical center, including community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) and community agencies, and acts as the transitional case manager of care for these Veterans. The duties include, but are not limited to: Collaboration with inpatient treatment providers/practitioners to support appropriate discharge planning following recommendations for treatment of Veterans at high risk for suicide. Ensuring that all Veterans assigned to the facility high risk monitoring list are being followed for a time period not less than 90 days following hospitalization, or 90 days from the date of assignment to the high-risk list. Monitoring activities include: Face-to-face and/or telephone contact with the Veteran to assess their safety and ongoing compliance with treatment. Tracking any no-show appointments by Veterans and following up with the Veteran and provider/practitioner as soon as possible to assess safety and reschedule the appointment. o Initiating emergency interventions appropriate to the situation, including but not limited to, contacting Veteran's identified emergency contact, and /or calling 911. With Veteran's consent, contacting family members and/or other identified supports to provide education and involve in patient's treatment and safety planning. Contacting and collaborating with the Veteran's mental health treatment coordinator (MHTC) to coordinate monitoring activities, track appointments and coordinate enhanced care as needed. Making recommendations for referral of repeat attempters to a variety of appropriate VA and community programs. Maintaining awareness of suicide treatment options and making recommendations to the Veteran's providers when new options become available. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAVISN04HREDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized