Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Veterans Health Administration • Oswego, NY

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is a full-time member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program within the Mental Health Integrated Clinical Community at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The position provides outpatient mental health services to Veterans connected with the Syracuse VAMC and its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and is based at the Oswego VA CBOC. Services are provided in person and through telehealth; telework is not available, and the position is not virtual.

The counselor delivers psychiatric interventions, mental health treatment, and stabilization services in an outpatient setting. The role provides recovery-oriented and trauma-informed psychotherapy, completes psychosocial assessments and treatment planning, uses measurement-based care and evidence-based practices, and coordinates with the healthcare team to support comprehensive care and transitions between levels of care. The full-performance grade is GS-11, requiring independent-practice licensure and at least one year of post-master’s or postdoctoral mental health counseling experience.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• A master’s or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, a combined program, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• A full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment.
• At least one year of post-master’s or postdoctoral mental health counseling experience for the GS-11 full-performance level.
• Demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, including advanced counseling-process skills; collaborative treatment planning; complex crisis intervention and stabilization; use of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; DSM-based diagnosis; and evidence-based clinical intervention.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including a physical examination and, for testing-designated positions, urinalysis; undergo a background/security investigation and complete onboarding requirements.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete application requirements in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Serve a two-year trial period.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and couples psychotherapy using evidence-based, recovery-focused, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Complete psychosocial assessments and collaboratively develop treatment plans using Measurement Based Care.
• Apply knowledge of psychiatric conditions, evidence-based treatment protocols including CBT and CPT, and common psychotropic medications and their effects and side effects.
• Use mental health and medical diagnostic terminology accurately to support communication with the healthcare team.
• Participate in collaborative clinical discussions and advocate for Veterans’ psychosocial and mental health needs, including factors affecting treatment adherence.
• Document clinical services in the electronic health record and review provider notes to support coordinated, comprehensive care.
• Conduct rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans, including evaluating the need for psychiatric hospitalization or residential program admission.
• Routinely assess Veterans’ mental health needs during outpatient treatment, coordinate transitions between levels of care, and support timely discharge planning to the least restrictive environment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in response to service and organizational needs.
• Engage in ongoing professional development through self-assessment, supervision, and clinical discussions.
• Provide professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning and implementation.
• Provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process.
• Develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups, which may cover life skills, family support, and community integration.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 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.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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: Mid Level