Career Center

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. 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; and Marriage and Family Therapy. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-101 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnosis and treatment. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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:GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level) In addition to the basic requirements for Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's degree mental health counseling experience; OR In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in mental health counseling, or a related field may be substituted for the required one year of professional mental health counseling experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-43, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. ["Because of the complex array of psychological, medical, & social symptoms presented by BHC patients, the assessment and treatment decisions made by the Behavioral Health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) are likely to have serious short/long­ term effects on patients, significant others, and treatment milieu. The Behavioral Health LPMHC must have the knowledge & skills to make independent decisions regarding the assessment, treatment, & case management of the diagnostically diverse BHC patient population. As a member of the interdisciplinary BHC team, the Behavioral Health LPMHC must form & maintain effective working relationships with staff. The case management responsibilities of the Behavioral Health LPMHC do not differ from other BHC staff (Psychologist, Social Worker, or Nurse). If a patient is engaged in therapy with the counselor, he or she will be designated as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC). The role of the MHTC is to coordinate treatment activities to ensure that each patient is provided with an individualized, integrated, biopsychosocial approach to case management. In this regard, the LPMHC will: Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her caseload. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status & interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age­ specific needs and to provide care needed by the geriatric patient group. Write a diagnostic summary which integrates biopsychosocial assessment data in a manner that leads to the development of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan specific to the BHC treatment model. Participate in the development of the comprehensive treatment plan, discuss the plan with patients, & insure that the plan is current & complete. Reassess each patient as needed in order to determine the status of his/her current clinical problems, current needs, & responses to treatment. Takes action to communicate findings with relevant BHC staff & initiates action to modify treatment, when indicated. Gather data during these assessments and progress review sessions in order to help make decisions regarding: a) the need for further assessment by the BHC or Medical Center staff; b) the need to revise the patient's comprehensive treatment plan; c) the patient's readiness to move on to the next treatment week; and d) the appropriateness of referring to a residential facility. The incumbent will also ensure that the patient has adequate housing & that his/her basic needs for food and shelter are met and if not, appropriate referrals will be made in order to secure those resources. Handle requests of an administrative nature and act as the patient's primary contact person (e.g., requests for consultations, misunderstandings regarding program policies, rules, procedures, communications to and from staff, etc.); recommend actions concerning necessary controls and restrictions to enhance therapeutic effectiveness for individuals, groups, & the patient community; give patients feedback as to their status and progress in the treatment program; recommend degrees of supervision, types of privileges, and readiness for job placement; and give guidance and advice to patients regarding benefits and services provided within the Department of Veterans Affairs and local community which are likely to have a therapeutic impact on patients. Conduct a discharge assessment, create a discharge plan, and ensure a referral/ contact with a follow-up agency. The incumbent takes a supportive role in the administrative/clinical functions of the program such as quality assurance, policy and procedure development, program planning, preparation of reports, and other duties as assigned. The incumbent actively participates in BHC committees; provides training to Medical Center and BHC staff through patient review conferences, BHC in-service programs, and medical education presentations; keeps abreast of new developments in the field of behavioral health; and maintains accurate records and data needed for local and national reports. The incumbent is also responsible for designing and conducting group therapy sessions; recommending methods to improve the quality, quantity, an integration of treatment services. Outreach activities are performed independently & in settings in which there is a significant lack of normal supervisory controls over his/her performance. The primary focus of outreach activities will be reaching Veterans and families who have returned from the Global War on Terrorism, incarcerated Veterans, & those who are homeless. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; Weekend and/or evenings required as assigned\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]