Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

Veterans Health Administration • Shelbyville, IN

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) provides counseling and therapy to Veterans receiving outpatient care at the Mental Health Clinic in Shelbyville, Indiana. Working with the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team, the counselor evaluates Veterans’ psychosocial concerns and helps connect them with resources to reduce psychosocial stressors.

The position provides evidence-based individual, couples, family, and group counseling and psychotherapy in collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health staff. It also includes consultation on patient-care matters, timely and accurate clinical documentation, and participation in committee, community-representation, and performance-improvement activities. The full-performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-9 through GS-11, with potential promotion to the full-performance level when applicable requirements are met.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is available, but this is not a virtual position. The role requires a master’s or doctoral degree in a qualifying counseling or related field from a CACREP-accredited program. Candidates must meet applicable licensure requirements; GS-11 candidates require at least one year of post-master’s or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and independent-practice licensure. Physical requirements include frequent standing, walking, bending, stair climbing, pushing, lifting light materials, and reaching, as well as computer, phone, pager, and motor-vehicle operation.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Master’s or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, both fields, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• For applicable LPMHC appointments, a full, current, unrestricted license to independently practice, including diagnosis and treatment; the posting describes an exception for otherwise qualified individuals completing state licensure prerequisites.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-master’s or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and independent-practice licensure.
• Demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for the applicable grade, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, counseling interventions, interdisciplinary teamwork, clinical documentation, and effective communication.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, physical evaluation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Satisfy applicable selective-service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families in collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health staff.
• Provide group counseling in collaboration with multidisciplinary staff for Veterans seeking substance-use-disorder and mental-health treatment.
• Consult with medical-center staff on patient-care issues.
• Accept additional and special assignments necessary to meet program goals or Veteran needs.
• Complete required clinical charting and documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Serve, as assigned, on mental health committees or task forces.
• Represent the Medical Center as a Mental Health Clinic representative at professional and community groups, events, and committees.
• Participate in performance-improvement initiatives within the assigned Mental Health track.
• Evaluate Veterans’ presenting psychosocial problems and facilitate access to appropriate resources.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual-leave accrual based on prior federal service, work experience, or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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