Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Care Coordinator BHIP)

Veterans Health Administration • Hampton, VA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service Line, aligned with BHIP/Outpatient Services. The counselor provides psychosocial assessment, counseling, psychotherapy, care coordination, crisis intervention, and consultation for Veterans and their families. The vacancy is at GS-9 to GS-11, with GS-11 as the full performance level. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station expenses are not authorized.

Applicants must meet VA education and licensure standards. The position requires a qualifying master's or doctoral degree from a CACREP-accredited program and, generally, a full, current, unrestricted license for independent practice. An exception may apply to an entry-level GS-9 hire who is completing licensure prerequisites under clinical supervision. GS-11 candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and independent-practice licensure. The role requires counseling and assessment skills, knowledge of diagnostic and treatment practices, crisis response capabilities, and the ability to work with an interdisciplinary team.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• 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.
• Full, current, unrestricted licensure to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment, except where the stated GS-9 licensure waiver applies.
• 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, assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation, and follow-up.
• Knowledge of the current DSM and its use in diagnosis, treatment goals, and clinical interventions.
• Knowledge of professional counseling practices and human development principles, including interventions addressing high-risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the lifespan.
• Ability to use a variety of individual, group, and family counseling interventions and to serve on an interdisciplinary team.
• Basic computer software skills for document preparation, data management, clinical documentation, and service delivery, including Telehealth; ability to learn VHA software.
• Knowledge 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: professional judgment in evaluations, decisions, and treatment recommendations; advanced counseling-process knowledge; ability to consult with colleagues and trainees; ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization; skill in collaborative treatment planning using advanced counseling skills, evidence-based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment; multicultural counseling skills; ability to use the DSM; and ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements, onboarding requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Responsibilities

• Independently conduct case finding, outreach, and screening to identify patients' psychosocial needs.
• Provide counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, families, and groups using appropriate treatment modalities.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans collaboratively with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary teams as appropriate.
• Provide psychosocial interventions and measure their outcomes.
• Coordinate community-based services and provide information and referrals to VA programs, government programs, and community agencies.
• Identify high-risk patients and independently provide crisis intervention addressing underlying causes and presenting concerns.
• Coordinate family conferences and serve as a liaison to family members.
• Support Veterans on the High Risk for Suicide list.
• Use knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, illnesses and injuries, medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology.
• Develop patient education materials or modules and assist with Veteran Peer and Family activities as assigned.
• Provide consultation to staff about Veterans' psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment adherence.
• Evaluate practice through peer review, case conferences, and other organizational methods.
• Participate in and assume responsibilities for committee assignments, including Performance Improvement, Peer Review, and Performance Measures.
• Assist with staff education and training on assigned topics.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees; eligibility depends on position type. Specific benefits should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Eligible selected applicants may request consideration of prior federal or military service for annual leave accrual credit; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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