Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public and employees of other Federal agencies. Current VA employees may also apply via vacancy announcement CBTA-11342801-22-GGB.

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A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The following are requirements for appointment as a licensed Professional Mental Health
Counselor (LPMHC) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). LPMHCs engage in
professional and clinical work which relate to behavior, capacities, traits, interests and
emotions. These requirements apply to all VHA LPMHCs in the GS-101 series including those
assigned to VA Medical Centers, community-based Outpatient Clinical (CBOCs),Vet Centers,
Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) offices, the VHA National Center for
Organizational Development and VHA Central Office. This work may include anyone or a
combination of the following: providing professional clinical services, providing case
management, carrying out education and training activities, clinical consultation,
supervision, and administration.

B. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES
The LPMHC is responsible for the provision and delivery of a full range of counseling and case
management services provided to Veteran patients at the Medical Center. He/she performs
the duties of a licensed professional mental health counselor with clinical privileges
recommended by the Chief, MHS; the Professional Standards Board, Chief of Staff and
approved by the Medical Center Director. The provider performs professional work describing
human behavior, determining the reasons for that behavior and predicting and/or modifying
the behavior. He/she performs psychosocial assessments, case management and treatment
of patients with problems of personality and emotional adjustment or mental illness. The
LPMHC performs psychotherapy with patients, either through individual or group therapy
sessions and uses therapeutic techniques.

C. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The LPMHC works under the direct clinical supervision of the Section Chief (or designee). The
Chief, MHS acts as the approving official for the incumbent, to ensure adherence to
professional standard of the practice of LPMHC. The LPMHC independently plans and
carries out the assignments. Supervisory controls are general in nature and usually deal
with matters related to overall objectives, policies and operations of the MHS treatment team.
The incumbent is responsible for the quality and clinical accuracy of work performed. The
employee, having developed expertise in the clinical area of work assigned is responsible
for the planning and carrying out the assignment, resolving any possible conflicts that may
arise and selecting the approach used in solving the problem. Supervisor relies on the
LPMHC to take independent action in solving problems as they arise with due consideration
to the guidance of the unit treatment team. Supervisory controls are quite general and
usually deal with matters related to policies and interdepartmental coordination. The
employee keeps the supervisor informed of project progress and any potentially
controversial matters. The Chief, MHS, maintains supervision of all MHS employees, and
he/she reports directly to the Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff reports directly to the Medical
Center Director.

D. CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Incumbent meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently
demonstrates courteous, compassionate, professional behavior towards all patients, family
members, peers, employees, students, residents and volunteers. Establishes effective
working relationships with staff and community representatives to exchange information
arrange referrals, develop new resources and resolve problems; effectively communicates
with and utilizes other disciplines to facilitate treatment planning and implementation.
Incumbent participates effectively in team meetings, treatment planning and implementation;
collaborates with divergent multidisciplinary team members in a manner that enhances
coordination of comprehensive patient care.
Collaborates with a wide variety of community agencies and engages in problem resolution
activities. Incumbent willingly accepts additional and special assignments that are necessary
to meet program goals or customer's needs.

Work Schedule: Sunday -Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework Eligibility: May be available on an ADHOC basis
Financial Disclosure Report: Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/31/2022.
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.
• LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter3, Section A, paragraph 3j.

Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:1. 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/.
Licensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment.
Exception: Non-licensed LPMHCs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate LPMHC under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the supervision of a licensed LPMHC 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.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
For the Grade of GS-9: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Entry Level) - Experience, Education, and Licensure. The entry level is used for LPMHCs with less than one year of post-master's degree experience or for LPMHCs who are graduates, not yet licensed at the independent practice level.
Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-9 LPMHCs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, including co-signatures where required, as they are not functioning at the full performance level. They are typically assigned to VHA areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Since they are not practicing at an independent level, they should not be assigned to areas where independent practice is required, such as in a CBOC, unless there is a licensed LPMHC in the area who can provide supervision for practice.
In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:

1. Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up.
2. Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices.
3. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, and strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the life span.
4. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills.
5. Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help patients function effectively.
6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation and delivery of services, such as Telehealth.
7. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA.
8. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling.
9. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
(2) Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)

(a) 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 in
subparagraph (c) 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.

(b) Assignments: This is the full performance grade level for LPMHCs. At this level
they are licensed to independently practice professional counseling and to provide
mental health services within the knowledge, theory, and training foundations of
professional counseling. LPMHCs may be assigned to any VHA area, consulting
with peers and supervisors as appropriate.
(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs
for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for
treatment planning and implementation.
2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling
process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an
effective counseling relationship.
3. 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.
4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are
in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill.
5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the
patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based
practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.
6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling
interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural
counseling skills.
7. 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.
8. 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: Residential experience, substance abuse/mental health experience.

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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/106 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Qualification Standard Appendix G43.

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-9 or GS-11.

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, résumé, 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.

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.