Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor- Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) provides counseling and treatment coordination to Veterans in a Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP). The position independently implements a recovery-oriented treatment model, carries a caseload, and works with Veterans to develop treatment goals and plans based on initial assessments. The counselor coordinates care from admission through discharge, helping Veterans reconnect with their chosen communities and arranging referrals to VA programs, other government programs, and community agencies.

The role includes individual, group, and family counseling; crisis intervention; treatment planning; discharge planning; and collaboration with the RRTP interdisciplinary team. The counselor contributes to recovery-oriented programming and supports Veterans experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems. The position also includes consultation to colleagues about Veterans’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on healthcare and treatment adherence. A Senior LPMHC may be expected to be eligible to supervise LPMHCs who require supervision for licensure.

This is a Monday–Friday position, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval; the potential award is up to $200,000 over one to five years. The full performance level is GS-11, and 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, unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment, for positions at or above the full performance level. A limited waiver may apply up to the full performance level while state licensure prerequisites are being completed.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-master’s or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and independent-practice licensure.
• Ability to engage in intake and assessment, identify problems, diagnose, plan and implement treatment, coordinate continuum of care, evaluate outcomes, and provide follow-up.
• Knowledge of the current DSM and ability to use it in diagnosis, treatment-goal formulation, and selection of clinical interventions.
• Knowledge of professional counseling practice, human development, and interventions addressing high-risk behavior, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the lifespan.
• Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, and family counseling interventions and serve on an interdisciplinary team.
• Computer skills for drafting documents, data management, accurate and timely clinical documentation, and service delivery; ability to learn and use VHA software.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant 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 using advanced counseling skills, evidence-based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.
• For GS-11, ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups, including life-skills, family-support, and community-integration groups.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with substance use disorder.

Responsibilities

• Carry a caseload of Residential Veterans and use initial assessments to collaboratively develop treatment goals and plans of care.
• Coordinate treatment from admission through discharge in collaboration with the entire treatment team, including discharge planning and support for Veterans’ community re-engagement.
• Attend daily group treatment coordination meetings for the assigned caseload.
• Meet individually with assigned Veterans at least once every other week.
• Provide at least five hours of group treatment per week and supplemental individual sessions as needed and recommended by the treatment team.
• Coordinate community-based services and facilitate referrals to VA programs, other government programs, and community agencies based on Veterans’ needs and eligibility.
• Identify high-risk patients and provide crisis intervention, addressing underlying causes as well as presenting concerns.
• Coordinate family conferences and serve as a liaison to family members.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families, providing individual, group, and family counseling and therapy.
• Consult with other staff regarding Veterans’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on healthcare and treatment-plan adherence.
• Participate in RRTP team, Service Line, and other regular meetings, sharing observations and information to enhance treatment.
• Collaborate with the RRTP team to develop and implement recovery-oriented programming.
• Evaluate own practice through peer review, case conferences, and other organizational processes.
• Comply with VA performance measures and collaborate with the assigned team to improve practice patterns and performance-measure outcomes.
• Complete mandatory web-based training by stipulated due dates.
• Collaborate to identify and address ethical issues, analyze ethical and care issues, and apply relevant principles and institutional policy.
• Maintain Veteran confidentiality and provide considerate care that respects the personal values and beliefs of Veterans, families, and staff.
• Use word-processing, data-management, and other computer systems, particularly software used by VHA.
• As a Senior LPMHC, be eligible to provide supervision to LPMHCs who require supervision for licensure.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; award may be up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and applicable requirements.

What This Job Offers

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