Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC)

Veterans Health Administration • Syracuse, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) is a full-time clinician in the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program at the Erie West VA Outpatient Clinic. The role provides recovery-oriented, trauma-informed outpatient mental health care to Veterans, including psychotherapy, psychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, and stabilization within a multidisciplinary team. The clinician supports Veterans’ resilience and long-term recovery and provides care both virtually through telehealth and in person.

The position involves partnering with Veterans and their chosen caregivers to deliver comprehensive, recovery-focused, strength-based care. The counselor conducts assessments, develops individualized treatment plans and achievable goals, monitors progress using Measurement-Based Care tools, and applies evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy. The clinician also coordinates care across service levels, advocates for Veterans’ needs, and supports continuity and safe transitions.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, recruitment or relocation incentives, and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized. The position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-11; the GS-9 level is an entry level with close supervision for qualified candidates who have not yet reached independent licensure or experience requirements.

Applicants must meet applicable education and licensure requirements. The required education is a master’s or doctoral degree in a specified or related counseling field from a CACREP-accredited program. LPMHCs in the GS-0183 series must hold a full, current, unrestricted license for independent practice, subject to the described supervised practice provisions. GS-11 candidates must also have at least one year of post-master’s or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and independent-practice licensure. GS-9 candidates must demonstrate the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities for that grade.

Requirements

• 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.
• Full, current, unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment, subject to the stated supervised-practice provisions.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-master’s or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and independent-practice licensure.
• For GS-9: demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities, including intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, continuity of care, evaluation, and follow-up.
• Knowledge of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and its use in diagnosis, treatment goals, and clinical interventions.
• Ability to use individual, group, or family counseling interventions and serve on an interdisciplinary team.
• Basic computer skills for document preparation, data management, clinical documentation, and service delivery such as telehealth, and ability to learn and use VHA software.
• Knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional counseling practice.
• For GS-11, ability to make professional treatment evaluations and recommendations, maintain effective counseling relationships, provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization, and use advanced counseling skills and evidence-based practices.
• For GS-11, ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups, including groups addressing life skills, family support, and community integration.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass required background/security investigation and pre-employment physical examination; complete online onboarding and required application documentation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants with prior work or military service experience may qualify to receive credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval.
• GS-11 LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision to an unlicensed LPMHC or trainee where permitted by state licensing laws.

Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with Veterans, caregivers, colleagues, and people from diverse backgrounds.
• Partner with Veterans and their chosen caregivers to provide comprehensive, recovery-focused, strength-based, and trauma-informed care.
• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments in collaboration with Veterans.
• Develop individualized treatment plans reflecting each Veteran’s needs, preferences, and strengths.
• Establish achievable treatment goals and use Measurement-Based Care tools to monitor progress.
• Apply knowledge of psychiatric disorders and evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy.
• Use knowledge of common psychotropic medications and their potential effects and side effects.
• Use accurate mental health and medical terminology when communicating with healthcare professionals.
• Document clinical assessments and interventions in the electronic health record and review relevant notes from other providers.
• Conduct timely assessments and develop crisis-management plans, including evaluating the need for psychiatric hospitalization or residential treatment.
• Advocate for Veterans’ psychosocial and mental health needs and address barriers to treatment engagement and adherence.
• Coordinate with the clinical team to support continuity of care and access to the least restrictive appropriate level of service.
• Develop timely discharge and transition plans to support safe movement between levels of care.
• Maintain knowledge of Veterans’ benefits, services, specialized programs, and compensation options.
• Participate in supervision, professional and discipline-specific activities, committees, and service initiatives.
• Adapt to evolving needs and potentially support LPMHC interns or counselor training programs.
• Provide clinical care both virtually through telehealth and in person.
• As applicable to the grade and assignment, provide counseling interventions, crisis intervention and stabilization, consultation to colleagues or trainees, and psychotherapy or psychoeducation groups.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with a child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k), with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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