Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Veterans Health Administration • Citrus Heights, CA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor provides readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Service members, and their families experiencing military-related psychological and psychosocial problems. The counselor independently uses psychotherapeutic modalities with individuals, families, and groups to support readjustment. The position may be filled at GS-09 through GS-11, with GS-11 identified as the full performance level; the selected grade depends on qualifications and experience.

The role includes intake and risk screening, psychosocial assessment, individualized service planning, counseling and crisis intervention, care coordination, outreach coordination, teamwork, and clinical documentation. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the tour of duty may change depending on facility location. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position.

Applicants must meet applicable education, licensure, experience, and demonstrated competency requirements. The basic education requirement is a master's or doctoral degree in a specified CACREP-accredited counseling program or related field. Independent licensure is required for the GS-11 level; limited licensure exceptions may apply at GS-09. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval. The position is permanent and in the Excepted Service.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, a combined program in those fields, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• For GS-11, a full, current, unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment; limited licensure waivers may apply at GS-09 under the stated conditions.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience performing duties such as intake and assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, counseling interventions, and evaluation and follow-up.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, identify problems, diagnose, plan and implement treatment, provide continuity of care, evaluate services, and conduct follow-up.
• Knowledge of the current DSM and its use in diagnosis, treatment goals, and clinical interventions.
• Counseling knowledge and skills involving human development, high-risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the lifespan.
• Ability to use a variety of individual, group, and family counseling interventions and demonstrate multicultural counseling skills and sensitivity to diversity.
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team and apply counseling approaches that support individual, group, and family functioning.
• Computer skills for drafting documents, data management, clinical documentation, and service delivery; ability to learn and use VHA software.
• Knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional counseling practice.
• Effective oral and written communication with people from varied backgrounds.
• For GS-11, ability to make professional evaluations and treatment recommendations; maintain effective counseling relationships; consult with colleagues and trainees; provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization; establish collaborative goals using advanced counseling skills and evidence-based practices; use the DSM; and develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must meet the stated background and security investigation requirements, onboarding and identification requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirement for VA health care personnel.
• Must submit a transcript with the application and complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Complete readjustment counseling intake procedures, including assessment of self-harm risk, military history, military-related psychosocial stressors, family readjustment stressors, and relevant behaviors or symptoms.
• Develop and periodically update individualized readjustment counseling service plans with therapeutic and psychosocial interventions, achievable goals, and measurable outcomes.
• Provide readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, including differential psychosocial assessment and diagnostic inferences within the counselor’s clinical scope of practice.
• Assess Veterans in crisis, identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety planning when appropriate.
• Connect Veterans with community services, resources, and opportunities to support independence, health, and well-being.
• Coordinate with Vet Center outreach workers to facilitate referrals and follow-up counseling for people engaged through community outreach events.
• Participate in staff meetings that promote team building and staff development.
• Document clinical interactions and care coordination episodes as required by policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with potential student loan reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience, subject to prior request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level