Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Veterans Health Administration • Brooksville, FL

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) is part of the Mental Health Services team at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital. The position may be filled at GS-09 or GS-11; GS-11 is the full-performance level. The GS-09 role is an unlicensed entry-level position under the clinical supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor. The GS-11 role requires a license for independent professional counseling practice. Work involves face-to-face care in designated VAMC or outpatient clinic settings, and the counselor may be assigned to any VHA mental health setting. LPMHCs may participate in program evaluation and research activities and consult with peers and supervisors as appropriate.

The counselor provides evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, education, case management, and care coordination for Veterans with psychological and psychiatric problems. This includes evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention at the full-performance level, and development and documentation of treatment plans. The role also involves consultation with professional staff and community providers, compliance with VA policies and performance measures, and timely completion of electronic health record documentation and workload entry.

The position follows a Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. schedule. Ad hoc telework may be authorized and discussed during the interview; the position is not virtual. Physical duties may include prolonged standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, lifting moderately heavy items, and assisting patients. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, a combined Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• A full, current, unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is required at the full-performance level; an exception may apply while completing state licensure prerequisites, up to the full-performance level.
• At GS-09, completion of the required education and less than one year of post-master's experience, or graduate-level education while working toward independent licensure prerequisites; unlicensed counselors work under appropriate clinical supervision.
• At GS-11, at least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and independent-practice licensure.
• Ability to conduct intake and assessment, identify problems, diagnose, plan and implement treatment, coordinate continuity of care, evaluate outcomes, and follow up.
• Knowledge of the DSM and professional counseling practices, clinical interventions, human development, and counseling across the lifespan.
• Ability to use individual, group, and family counseling interventions and serve on an interdisciplinary team.
• Computer skills for document preparation, data management, clinical documentation, service delivery, and learning VHA software.
• Knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting counseling practice.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.
• At GS-11, ability to make professional evaluations and treatment recommendations; maintain effective counseling relationships; consult with colleagues and trainees; provide complex crisis intervention; use advanced counseling skills and evidence-based practices; make diagnoses and formulate treatment goals; and develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements, complete onboarding and application requirements, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Physical exertion may include prolonged standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, lifting moderately heavy items, and assisting patients.

Responsibilities

• Provide evaluation services and diagnose mental disorders.
• Educate patients, family members, and significant others.
• Conduct evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy.
• Consult with professional staff and community providers about clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans.
• Case manage and support Veterans with psychiatric and psychological problems.
• Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic treatment plans.
• Coordinate services for Veterans by liaising with other health care programs.
• Follow VA, supervisor, and treatment-program operational policies and procedures.
• Meet national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders.
• Complete electronic health record documentation and workload entry on time, including diagnostic and procedure codes and patient checkout procedures.
• At the GS-11 level, provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization and, where permitted by state licensure, clinical supervision.
• Potentially participate in program evaluation and research activities.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• 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: Entry Level