Clarification from the agency

Veteran Preference applies. First consideration will be given to CPS/CP applicants. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Functions:

• Performs specialized MH RRTP screenings that meets the required of MH RRTP programming tracks, which includes American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria, trauma related evaluation, and homelessness evaluation. Veterans present with a wide variety of healthcare and psychosocial needs including substance use, medical issues mental health issues, homelessness, and legal involvement.
• Responsible for services within the LPMHC scope of practice, including individual and group psychotherapy, risk assessment and management, safety planning, and case management. The LTC possesses advanced knowledge and abilities to independently implement treatment, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups using evidence-based treatments and interventions, including measurement based care.
• Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members.
• Operates a motor vehicle and transports patients off-site as required.

• Actively participates in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting Veteran care needs and identifying the need for policy or procedure changes. Coordinates and monitors MH RRTP daily operations and clinical programming, for all MH RRTP tracks of care, including Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV).
• Monitors key metrics for MH RRTP, to include timely access and quality improvement measures.
• Participates in and serves on facility, VISN, and National committees, work groups, and task forces, as directed by the supervisor.
• Assists the MH RRTP Program Manager and/or Medical Director with clinical and program metrics, such as the MH RRTP Annual Performance Improvement Plan, MH RRTP Veteran and Staff Standdown, and other outreach activities.
• Prepares reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use and provides analysis and evaluation of clinical program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service as they relate to the referral, admission and transition at discharge processes.
• Aids with the orientation and learning of less experienced social workers and, if interested and approved, serves as a clinical supervisor for social workers who are not independently licensed and/or social work students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

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. 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.

1. In depth knowledge of the program coordinated, and demonstrated knowledge and ability to write policies procedures and or practice guidelines for the program.
2. Ability to make key decisions in the hiring and identification of top candidates.
3. Ability to provide leadership in facilitating the process of coordinating program consults, assessments, admissions, care assignments and discharges.
4. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to other colleagues and trainees within the field of counseling working on an interdisciplinary team.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.