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: The basic requirements for employment as a LPMHC are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. §7402(b)(11). To qualify for appointment as a LPMHC all applicants must: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). b. 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. c. 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. d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of the candidates. Supervisory 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 experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills, judgment, and competency. Assignments. At this level, LPMHCs administratively supervise their licensed staff and/or graduates and are considered LPMHC subject matter experts and may serve as the discipline lead. LPMHCs may provide treatment to patients. They direct the development and implementation of services and treatment to patients through the administrative supervision, mentoring, and oversight of assigned clinical staff. Their experience must demonstrate practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. 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: 1. Ability to administratively supervise other providers and conduct meetings. 2. Ability to maintain a professional environment by following organizational policies, guidelines and safety standards. 3. Ability to establish and clearly communicate guidelines and performance expectations for staff. 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.
Duties include, however, not limited to: Provides direct administrative supervision of the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors in Outpatient Mental Health. Completes performance appraisals, time and attendance, disciplinary actions and other personnel management activities. Works closely with the BHIP Program Manager and Outpatient Director, as well as other members of Mental Health leadership on adherence to Office of Mental Health Operations guidelines and initiatives. Communicates/coordinates with other clinics in the Mental Health Service to meet performance objectives. Participates on the Mental Health Services Committee, providing input to the Chief of Mental Health. Interviews veterans, and in some cases, their significant other, to determine specific problems. Conducts intake and needs assessment of veterans and establishes helping relationships with their clients. Develops comprehensive and unique goal-directed treatment plans that reflect a course of therapeutic intervention. Provides individual, conjoint, family and group therapy for eligible veterans and their families/significant others. Provide crisis intervention, stabilization and then provides follow-up evaluations of clients. Performs administrative tasks assigned by the Program Manager or appropriate program official. The LPC maintains veterans' electronic clinical records in accordance with VHA guidelines and professional/licensure requirements. Implements privacy and confidentiality as well as legal and ethical standards or service delivery. Participates in administrative staff, clinical, and other in-service meetings and training as required. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F50105 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.