Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Primary Care Mental Health Integration(PCMHI)

Veterans Health Administration • Memphis, TN

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor provides Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) services to Veterans referred by PACT teams for mental and behavioral health care. The role delivers assessment, diagnosis, and treatment in a primary care setting, including care for complex patients and those with mental health concerns associated with medical conditions or substance use disorders. Services include same-day access, crisis intervention, telephone and telehealth support, brief therapy, referral management, and other appropriate care dispositions.

The counselor provides evidence-based individual, family, and group interventions, educates Veterans and their families, and consults with PACT staff, VA and community providers. The position documents patient care, treatment plans, crisis interventions, and suicide risk assessments in CPRS to support communication and continuity of care. It may include clinical supervision and instruction for trainees, collaboration on clinical programs and quality improvement, and coordination with other VA programs. The counselor follows PACT operational policies and procedures.

This is a permanent, non-virtual position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; telework is not available. Relocation or recruitment incentives and permanent change of station may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval. The selected candidate must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

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.
• A master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, a combined program in those 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.
• At least one year of progressively complex LPMHC experience equivalent to GS-11.
• 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.
• Advanced knowledge of theories and modalities for specialized treatment of complex mental illness.
• Ability to incorporate multiple causes into differential diagnosis and treatment, including psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Ability to determine service priorities and provide specialized treatment.
• Advanced expertise in specialized interventions and treatment modalities for Veterans with complex needs, including individual, group, or family counseling or psychotherapy and psychosocial or case-management interventions.
• Ability to coordinate specialized psychosocial services and programs and design system changes based on data.
• Ability to consult with colleagues and trainees and provide professional opinions on psychosocial treatment.
• Ability to teach, mentor, and supervise staff and trainees for licensure or specialty certification.
• Ability to communicate with leadership, staff, and community stakeholders about professional policies, procedures, practice guidelines, and related issues.
• Completion of required background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and application-document requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Permanent change of station may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Provide PCMHI services to Veterans referred by PACT as candidates for mental or behavioral health services.
• Assess, diagnose, and treat mental disorders in a primary care setting, including complex cases and conditions with medical or substance-use components.
• Support same-day access to mental health services, including crisis intervention, in person, by telephone, and through telehealth.
• Determine whether Veterans should enroll in BHL telephone services and select appropriate PCMHI dispositions, such as brief therapy or referral management.
• Educate patients, family members, and significant others about mental and behavioral health concerns.
• Provide evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy, including interventions such as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as indicated.
• Consult with PACT staff, VA Medical Center and CBOC providers, VISN 9 BHL and PCMHI, and community providers about assessments and treatment plans.
• Develop, implement, and document patient care, treatment plans, crisis interventions, and suicide risk assessments in CPRS.
• Communicate and coordinate with PACT teams and VISN 9 BHL through face-to-face and telephone contact.
• Provide clinical supervision and instruction to PCMHI trainees, as needed.
• Assist PACT and PCMHI providers in designing, developing, and implementing clinical programs for Primary Care Clinics.
• Support ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects.
• Coordinate services with other VA care programs, including homeless services, Veterans Justice Outreach, and specialty mental health.
• Adhere to PACT operational policies and procedures and perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student-loan reimbursement may be available, with awards up to $200,000 subject to eligibility, approval, and program terms.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for prior federal, work, or military service if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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