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Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Tomah VA Medical Center (Wausau VA Clinic)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan reimbursement program. If selected for this position, you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements and submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Please contact Eva.Gennara@va.gov and cc VISN12EDRP@va.gov for more information.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/01/2023 to 09/29/2023
Salary
$98,496 to - $128,043 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Wausau, WI
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CAZP-12103581-23-RLD
Control number
746864600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the Public. If you are a current permanent VA or Federal employee please apply to announcement CAZP-12103583-23-RLD.

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Duties

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A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized to highly qualified individuals.

The incumbent serves as the Program Manager for the Tomah Mental Health Outpatient Clinic (MHOC). This position reports directly to the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health. Responsibilities are broad and complex in scope and involve organization of service delivery, development and implementation of programming, policies, and procedures for the outpatient clinic, coordination and supervision of staff, program evaluation, and performance improvement.

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager) duties include:

  • Oversees general mental health, the Program Manager also oversees specialty PTSD and Substance Use Disorder in the outpatient setting. Treatment is offered via individual and group modalities, as well as via telemental health.
  • Role entails considerable organization and coordination of resources with others within the mental health service line, as well as other services throughout the facility to improve access and efficiency, oversee care coordination, and ensure high quality care.
  • Policies and procedures are closely monitored to inform ongoing strategic planning and performance improvement activities. The MHOC Program Manager is responsible for the ongoing evaluation of programming redesign and the incorporation of evidence-based practices within the clinic. Program Manager responsibilities include regular data monitoring including ensuring completion of Performance Improvement measures and tracking measures of efficiency, access, productivity, satisfaction, and effectiveness. These data are collected and reported to the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL).
  • Manages patient complaints and compliments informally and formally through systems such as PATS-R and congressional responses. The MHOC Program Manager keeps staff and MHSL leadership informed of any patient concerns.
  • Authority for resource allocations within the Mental Health Outpatient Clinic.
    9. Consults with and serves as a resource for other professional personnel regarding MH Outpatient Clinic services.
    10. Has knowledge of risk assessment, suicide prevention, and other crisis management procedures.
    11. Has experience in providing consultation about mental health diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans to professionals in a variety of disciplines.

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Telework May be Available Depending on Program Needs.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to highly qualified individuals.
EDRP Authorized: Contact Eva.Gennara@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

Education Requirement - You must have a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 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. 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. Transcripts Required

Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. NOTE: It is VHA policy that LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has acc3ess to the electronic health record. Copy of Licensure Required.

Exception to Licensure/Certification: VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed.

The appointing official my waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the fill performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). The grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. The Human Resources Office will provide the unlicensed LPMHC in writing the requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date.

Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade level of the candidate.

GS-13 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager):

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-12 grade level. The experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:

  1. Ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management.
  2. Ability to monitor program outcomes using data driven quality assurance process.
  3. Ability to develop productivity standards appropriate to each service provided.
  4. Ability to manage a wide range of programs which include the operation and management of key clinical, training or administrative programs.
References: VA Handbook 5005/106, Part II, Appendix G43, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, dated 4/3/2018.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.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

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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.

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