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Mental Health Counselor (Substance Abuse Therapist)

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is assigned to the Behavioral Health Department in the Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna Indian Health Service Unit, Acomita, NM, providing substance abuse treatment, psychological evaluations and treatment as well as psychiatric assessments for psychotropic medication.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/25/2024 to 09/30/2024
Salary
$87,878 to - $114,237 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Acomita, NM
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Temporary position not to exceed 2 years - Initial appointment is one year, but may be extended to two years if the need arises.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DE-12505753-24-OPM
Control number
811054900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3. The IHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Duties

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  • Provides a broad range of professional clinical behavioral and mental health services which includes counseling, screening, assessment, evaluation, and treatment.
  • Conducts therapeutic activities including individual, group, family and marital counseling for clients with possible dual diagnosis of chemical dependency and a variety of other medical, psychosocial and environmental problems.
  • Provides treatment including planning and conducting assessments to determine the need for psychological/psychiatric testing and evaluation.
  • Monitors patient response to medication and therapy to facilitate recovery process and address issues regarding patient care and resolution of conflicts/problems.
  • Works with clinic personnel, patients and family as well as with Tribal and community resources to exchange information and coordinate services for the benefit of the patient.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • If you are a male, born after December 31, 1959, and you want to be employed by the federal government, you must (subject to certain exemptions) be registered with the Selective Service System.
  • Selectee may be subject to a probationary period.
  • Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.
  • You will be subject to call back and/or stand by.
  • A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.
  • You must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If not obtained or maintained during employment, you will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.
  • You must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
  • You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
  • May be required to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle for official purposes which requires a state operator's license (Class D).
  • IHS - Operated Properties are tobacco free.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are currently enrolled and expected to complete the required education and/or obtain the required licensure/certification/registration within 9 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified.

Basic Requirements for the Mental Health Counselor, 0101:
You must have a bachelor's degree or higher degree in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to this Mental Health Counselor position.
OR
Combination of education and experience that provided you with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
OR
Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that you have acquired knowledge of one or more or the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Selective Placement Factor:
You must have professional knowledge of counseling and/or chemical dependency as evidenced by being a Licensed Addiction Counselor, Licensed Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor.

You must include a copy of such license with your application. Failure to do so may result in being found not qualified for this position.

Additional Requirements
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, to qualify for the grade GS-12, you must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (comparable to the grade GS-11, obtained in public or private sector) performing the following:
(1) Providing behavioral and mental health counseling to patients with diagnoses of chemical dependency, medical, psychosocial and/or environmental problems;
(2) Conducting assessments and evaluations to recognize signs and symptoms of psychological issues, alcohol and drug dependence and provide appropriate mental health counseling;
(3) Developing techniques and approaches to treat patients with mental health, substance abuse and/or behavioral problems;
(4) Developing treatment plans based on results of psychological/psychiatric tests/evaluations, histories and collateral information.

Copies (official or unofficial) transcripts should be included in your application to support meeting the Basic Requirements.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has Basic Requirements. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed.

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Must be suitable for Federal employment, as determined by fingerprint check results and appropriate background investigation. If not found suitable after hire, you will be removed from this position.

Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Housing may be available.

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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

If you meet the minimum qualifications requirements for this position, your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your qualifications will be conducted to determine if you are qualified for this job. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within each of these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-preference eligibles.

Please note that if, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your category rating can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions will be evaluated against the duties you provided in your resume, along with your submitted documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following.

  • Decision Making
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Psychology
  • Technical Competence
  • Technical Competence

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12505753. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 09/30/2024, to be considered.

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