Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Shawnee, OK

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System’s Mental Health Service is recruiting a Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor to provide care to Veterans at the Shawnee Community Based Outpatient Clinic. This GS-12 position is above the full performance level and is in the Excepted Service. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is situational (ad hoc) under agency policy; the position is not virtual.

The counselor diagnoses and treats Veterans with complex mental health needs and psychosocial issues using independent judgment and a variety of counseling, psychotherapy, crisis-management, and community-based interventions. The role includes assessment and treatment planning, measurement-based care, consultation, clinical supervision and training, and coordination of referrals and specialized services. The counselor may also serve as a subject matter expert and participate in program evaluation or research activities.

Applicants must meet the applicable education and licensure requirements, including a qualifying CACREP-accredited master’s or doctoral degree and a full, current, unrestricted license to practice independently as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor. The GS-12 senior-level requirements include five years of post-licensure experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and judgment, as well as licensure to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. The announcement also requires one year of post-master’s or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and the stated GS-11 and GS-12 knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Employment is subject to applicable federal hiring conditions, including U.S. citizenship requirements, English proficiency, a background/security investigation, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a one- or two-year trial period. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable law.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A master’s or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, both fields, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• A full, current, unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment.
• One year of post-master’s or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience.
• Five years of post-licensed experience demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, progressive professional competency, and expertise.
• Licensure to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs.
• Demonstrated GS-11 and GS-12 knowledge, skills, and abilities, including complex diagnosis and treatment, crisis intervention, specialized interventions, service coordination, consultation, teaching, mentoring, supervision, and communication with leadership, staff, and community stakeholders.
• Meet applicable federal onboarding, identification, background/security, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete the application requirements described in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose mental disorders and treat Veterans with complex mental health diagnoses and psychosocial needs using independent judgment and a range of modalities.
• Provide individual, family, and group counseling; triage and crisis management; community-based interventions; and advanced psychotherapy as needed.
• Conduct initial intakes and biopsychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans in accordance with Joint Commission and VA requirements and service or clinic procedures.
• Practice measurement-based care using the Collect, Share, Act model in accordance with applicable requirements and procedures.
• Consult with OKC VA Health Care System staff, referring providers and teams, and mental health staff on patient care issues.
• Participate in regularly scheduled program and clinic team meetings.
• Evaluate patients and determine disposition to OKC VA Health Care System treatment programs, community programs, or vocational placement.
• Consult with staff on evaluation and assistance for Veterans with complex vocational problems.
• Place clinical consults when indicated and ensure timely documentation in accordance with facility medical bylaws.
• Ensure coding follows OMHSP Mental Health Coding Guidelines and place RTCs according to VHA directives and scheduling guidelines.
• Obtain PMDB training appropriate to the workplace setting and annual Workplace Behavioral Risk Assessment.
• Develop behavioral-health training curriculum and conduct training for clinical staff.
• Provide clinical consultation to less experienced staff.
• Provide clinical supervision to unlicensed LPMHC staff and/or LPMHC trainees.
• May serve as the discipline’s subject matter expert and participate in program evaluation or research activities.
• Perform other activities as assigned by OKC VA Health Care System management.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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