Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Readjustment Counselor)

Veterans Health Administration•Montgomery, AL

9h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. The award amount and eligibility period are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Readjustment Counselors are multi-disciplinary and can be filled by a Social Worker, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, or Marriage & Family Therapist. Each discipline is announced separately. Duties include screening and assessment of eligible individuals to establish a therapeutic relationship, assessing risk for self-harm and psychosocial functioning, and developing individualized readjustment counseling service plans. The role involves implementing counseling plans through individual, group, couple, and/or family counseling, maintaining therapeutic relationships, and providing crisis intervention and case management. Care coordination with internal and external community resources is essential, along with maintaining knowledge of military experience and VA benefits. Outreach coordination with Vet Center outreach workers and active participation in staff meetings for team building and development are also key responsibilities. Clinical interactions and care coordination episodes must be documented according to RCS policy, and consultation services may be provided to other staff and community partners. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
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 forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
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).
Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment.
Proficient in spoken and written English.
For GS-09 (Entry Level): Less than one year of experience (post-master's degree) or graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure.
Demonstrated KSAs for GS-09: Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. Knowledge of current DSM. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
For GS-11 (Full Performance Level): 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.
Demonstrated KSAs for GS-11: Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning and implementation. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization. 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 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.

Nice To Haves

Graduates from traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standard.
VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for 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 full performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-09).

Responsibilities

Screen and assess eligible individuals to establish a therapeutic relationship for completing intake procedures, including assessment of risk for self-harm and psychosocial functioning.
Develop and periodically update an individualized readjustment counseling service plan reflecting therapeutic and psychosocial interventions, with achievable goals and measurable outcomes.
Implement the individualized counseling plan through individual, group, couple, and/or family readjustment counseling, maintaining an effective therapeutic relationship guided by professional ethics.
Apply risk assessment procedures and develop safety plans for individuals identified as intermediate to high risk, including coordinating services with family members.
Establish and maintain a network of community care relationships (internal and external to VA) to coordinate access to readjustment counseling and ensure clients receive a full spectrum of support services.
Maintain a general knowledge and understanding of the military experience and available VA benefits and services.
Coordinate with Vet Center outreach workers to ensure seamless referral to Vet Center services for individuals and family members engaged in the community at outreach events.
Actively participate in Vet Center staff meetings for team building and staff development through planning, problem-solving, case discussions, and mentoring new hires.
Document all clinical interactions and care coordination episodes according to RCS policy.
Provide consultation services to other staff and community partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.