Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Veterans Health Administration • Pensacola, FL

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) provides ambulatory and outpatient behavioral health services to Veterans with mental health and substance use disorders and to their significant others. Patients may have concurrent psychiatric, personality, substance use, and medical conditions, as well as multiple psychosocial stressors and severely compromised biopsychosocial status.

The counselor conducts assessments, develops and monitors individualized recovery-oriented treatment plans, and provides individual, group, and family counseling using evidence-based interventions. The role includes crisis intervention and stabilization, case management, interdisciplinary care coordination, diagnostic and clinical documentation, discharge and aftercare planning, patient and family education, community outreach, and participation in quality improvement and program evaluation. The position uses electronic health record systems and other health information technologies, and requires protection of patient confidentiality and compliance with applicable privacy, information security, and regulatory requirements.

The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. Telework is available; this is not a virtual position. Work is performed in an office or clinic setting with minimal risks and normal safety precautions, though the work may involve several tasks at once in stressful situations. The full performance level is GS-11. A master's or doctoral degree in a specified or related CACREP-accredited counseling field and a full, current, unrestricted independent-practice license are generally required, subject to the stated licensure exception up to the full performance level.

Requirements

• Hold a master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, both, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program; a transcript must be provided with the application when relying on education for qualification.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment; VA may waive this requirement for otherwise-qualified candidates pending state licensure prerequisites up to the full performance level.
• Demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-11, have at least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and be licensed to practice independently.
• Demonstrate ability to conduct intake and assessment, identify problems, diagnose, plan and implement treatment, coordinate continuity of care, evaluate outcomes, and follow up.
• Know and use the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in diagnosis, treatment-goal formulation, and clinical intervention.
• Demonstrate knowledge of counseling practice, human development, and interventions addressing high-risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the lifespan.
• Use a wide variety of individual, group, and family counseling interventions and demonstrate sensitivity to diversity and multicultural counseling skills.
• Work effectively on interdisciplinary teams, focusing on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning and appropriate counseling approaches.
• Use computer software for drafting documents, data management, clinical documentation, and service delivery, including Telehealth; learn and use software programs used by VHA.
• Know relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional counseling practice.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.
• For GS-11, demonstrate professional judgment in evaluation, treatment recommendations, and implementation; advanced counseling-process knowledge; and the ability to establish effective counseling relationships.
• For GS-11, provide subject-matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process and support their development through meetings, case review, and discussion.
• For GS-11, independently provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients in psychological distress.
• For GS-11, collaboratively establish treatment goals with patients using advanced counseling skills, evidence-based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.
• For GS-11, fully utilize the current DSM in diagnosis, treatment-goal formulation, and clinical intervention.
• For GS-11, develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups, potentially including life skills, family support, community integration, and evidence-based psychotherapy.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Pass a background/security investigation and pre-employment physical evaluation; complete the online onboarding process and application requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel employee.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of experience in outpatient Mental Health and/or Primary Care Mental Health Integration.
• Experience assessing and addressing patient needs in treatment planning.
• Proficiency in individual, group, couples, and family therapy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, mental health evaluations, and substance use assessments to determine treatment needs, level of care, and program eligibility.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans using a recovery-oriented, Veteran-centered approach.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling using evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Deliver crisis intervention, risk assessment, stabilization services, and timely clinical responses to Veterans experiencing acute psychological distress.
• Monitor treatment progress through ongoing reassessment, documentation, and evaluation of therapeutic outcomes.
• Serve as a Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) when assigned and coordinate and integrate services across interdisciplinary treatment teams.
• Collaborate with Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Specialty Clinics, Nursing, Social Work, Rehabilitation Services, Chaplain Service, and other disciplines to provide comprehensive care.
• Prepare diagnostic summaries and clinical documentation supporting treatment planning, continuity of care, and compliance with accreditation and documentation standards.
• Coordinate case management, referrals, follow-up services, discharge planning, and linkage to community resources.
• Assess psychosocial needs such as housing, food security, transportation, and benefits, and facilitate appropriate referrals.
• Educate Veterans and family members about treatment options, available resources, VA benefits, and community support services.
• Facilitate psychoeducational, process-oriented, and structured therapeutic groups for Veterans with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings and communicate clinical findings to relevant healthcare providers.
• Conduct discharge assessments and develop aftercare plans to support continuity of treatment and recovery.
• Support quality improvement initiatives, program evaluation, policy development, and performance improvement efforts within Behavioral Health programs.
• Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based practices, emerging treatment modalities, and developments in behavioral health care.
• Conduct community outreach to increase access to behavioral health services for Veterans and their families, including underserved populations.
• Use electronic health record systems and other health information technologies to maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical records.
• Protect patient confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy, information security, and regulatory requirements.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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