Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (BHIP MHTC) - EDRP Approved

Veterans Health Administration • Corpus Christi, TX

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive, accessible, Veteran-centered mental health care. As a BHIP Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC), the counselor works across BHIP teams within the clinic to assess, diagnose, treat, and coordinate care for Veterans within BHIP and the Mental Health Service Line. Services may be provided through telehealth across several sites in the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System.

The position provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services, including individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case-management interventions for Veterans with a range of DSM diagnoses, substance use disorders, and polytraumatic injuries. The counselor coordinates care with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary colleagues; monitors and adjusts care plans; supports transitions of care; and documents relevant handoffs and consults in the electronic health record.

The counselor may assist with clinical program management and coordination of administrative and programmatic resources under the direction of program managers, coordinators, or discipline-specific supervisors. The role may also include committee and work-group participation, consultation to colleagues and students, teaching and mentoring, and contributing to policies, procedures, practice guidelines, or new models of psychosocial assessment and intervention. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-09 through GS-11.

Requirements

• Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, both fields, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice independently as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment. GS-09 applicants pending licensure may be eligible for a temporary exception of up to three years.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience.
• Ability to conduct intake and assessment, identify problems, diagnose, plan and implement treatment, manage continuity of care, evaluate outcomes, and follow up.
• Knowledge of the DSM and its use in developing treatment goals and selecting clinical interventions.
• Knowledge of counseling practices, human development, and interventions addressing high-risk behavior, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the lifespan.
• Ability to use individual, group, and family counseling interventions and serve effectively on an interdisciplinary team.
• Basic computer skills for drafting documents, data management, clinical documentation, and service delivery such as telehealth; ability to learn and use VHA software.
• Knowledge of statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting counseling practice.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.
• For GS-11: ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and treatment recommendations; maintain effective counseling relationships; and provide consultation to colleagues and trainees.
• For GS-11: ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization using independent judgment and skill.
• For GS-11: ability to collaboratively establish treatment goals and use advanced counseling skills, evidence-based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.
• For GS-11: ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups, potentially including evidence-based psychotherapy.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working for the VA or Department of Defense.
• Experience working in community settings.
• Experience incorporating outcome measures into treatment.
• Experience with evidence-based psychotherapy for individuals, groups, couples, and families.
• Experience in case management in complex settings.
• Experience in outpatient general mental health clinics.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose, treat, and coordinate the mental health care of Veterans assigned to BHIP and the Mental Health Service Line.
• Provide psycho-diagnostic services and individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy, as well as psychosocial and case-management interventions.
• Provide services, including through telehealth, across multiple sites of care.
• Coordinate care with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary team members; provide education and self-management resources; assess care-coordination needs; and monitor and adjust care plans.
• Facilitate transitions of care through written electronic health record handoffs and relevant consults.
• Participate in committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility, VISN, national, or community level as appropriate.
• Work with BHIP supervisors and Mental Health Service Line leadership to identify and address process issues.
• Assist with clinical program management and coordination of administrative and programmatic resources under appropriate oversight.
• Support systematic work assignment and compliance with facility and VA guidelines and standards.
• Provide subject-matter consultation to colleagues and students, and potentially teach and mentor staff and students.
• Develop or contribute to new psychosocial assessment and intervention models, and assist in drafting policies, procedures, or practice guidelines.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): eligible participants may receive student loan payment reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to individual eligibility, program approval, and applicable terms.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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