Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Mental Health)

Department of Veterans Affairs•Brevard, NC

40d•Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent will serve in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic as a member of an interdisciplinary team. They will consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. In addition to these primary responsibilities, the incumbent may provide consultation or program oversight, be involved in program evaluation, training, educational activities, and other duties as assigned. The incumbent provides a variety of psychological services to Veterans, including diagnosis, evaluation and treatment in the outpatient mental health clinic under the administrative supervision of the Mental Health Assistant Chief. Provision of services will be conducted through a variety of modalities including individual, couples, family, and/or group psychotherapy. Screening/ Assessment- The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor will develop a biopsychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, and family members/significant others. The goal of the biopsychosocial assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external support and service needs to optimize the veteran's functional status. Biopsychosocial Assessment - The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the veteran, and being able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this veteran population. It is the responsibility of the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team, to share in the development of a treatment plan with the veteran based on this biopsychosocial assessment. The initial biopsychosocial assessment will be completed as specified by the policy for the assigned work area. An initial biopsychosocial assessment is required as well as reassessments as defined by policy. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran, family members/significant others, and other clinical staff. Referral to Service Providers - Throughout the course of treatment, the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is responsible for educating the veteran and family members/significant others of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his/her surrogate decision-maker. Resource Usage/Development - The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is responsible for using the current resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans. The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor will refer the veteran to needed services. Advocacy - The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor understands the nature of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiver. When appropriate and feasible, the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor will educate and encourage the veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment Crisis Intervention -The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor has access to multiple resource directories, in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of his/her respective mental health program and Iron Mountain VA Medical Center. This may include on call duties. Education/Health promotion and prevention - The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor provides education related to VA and community resources and will refer veterans and family members/significant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services -The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor will review the progress notes from other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran. The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor will educate veterans, their family members/significant other, and the team of all options available to them and will collaborate with the veteran and family members/significant other on preferred options. Other duties assigned

Responsibilities

Consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues.
Provide consultation or program oversight
Be involved in program evaluation, training, educational activities, and other duties as assigned.
Provide a variety of psychological services to Veterans, including diagnosis, evaluation and treatment in the outpatient mental health clinic
Provision of services will be conducted through a variety of modalities including individual, couples, family, and/or group psychotherapy.
Develop a biopsychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, and family members/significant others.
Share in the development of a treatment plan with the veteran based on this biopsychosocial assessment.
Contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran, family members/significant others, and other clinical staff.
Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs.
Educating the veteran and family members/significant others of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his/her surrogate decision-maker.
Using the current resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans.
Refer the veteran to needed services.
Act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiver.
Educate and encourage the veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment
Making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs.
Provide education related to VA and community resources and will refer veterans and family members/significant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs.
Review the progress notes from other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran.
Educate veterans, their family members/significant other, and the team of all options available to them and will collaborate with the veteran and family members/significant other on preferred options.