Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Veterans Health Administration • Shreveport, LA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) works in the Mental Health Service line as part of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), providing independent and expert clinical care in an outpatient mental health setting. The position serves Veterans with serious or severe mental health needs and crises who require continuing professional psychological support.

The counselor collaborates with the interdisciplinary BHIP team to coordinate care and provides screening, assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions for a range of psychiatric disorders, with an emphasis on time-limited, evidence-based approaches. The role includes developing treatment plans with Veterans through shared decision-making, establishing discharge goals and timelines, and coordinating internal and external resources when Veterans reach their goals. The counselor uses specialized interventions for complex needs, provides individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy, and delivers psychosocial and case-management interventions. The position also includes crisis assessment and safety planning, psychoeducation for Veterans and family members, consultation, teaching, mentoring, and clinical supervision.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and may change based on facility needs. Telework is available; this is not a virtual position. The position is in an office/clinic setting. It is a permanent GS-12 position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station expenses are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility, application, and approval; the potential award is up to $200,000 for one to five years.

Requirements

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, both, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment, or qualification under the stated grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees.
• At least one year of progressively complex LPMHC experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Five years of post-licensed experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and judgment, progressive professional competency, and expertise.
• Licensed to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of theories and modalities for specialized treatment of complex mental illness.
• Ability to incorporate multiple complex causes in 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.
• Ability to coordinate specialized psychosocial services and programs and design system changes based on data.
• Ability to provide subject matter consultation and professional opinions, and to teach, mentor, and supervise staff and trainees.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with leadership, staff, and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except where the stated VA policy permits appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must meet applicable background/security investigation, onboarding, pre-employment physical evaluation, identification, and application-document requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and may be required to undergo annual TB screening or testing.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Physical requirements may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; use of personal protective equipment may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Training and proficiency in at least two evidence-based therapy techniques.
• Skills in patient engagement, crisis response, interdisciplinary collaboration, recovery-oriented care, and adaptability.
• Data-informed clinical decision-making.
• Knowledge of community and VA resources.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the assigned BHIP interdisciplinary team to ensure Veterans’ needs are met and support optimal clinical care.
• Provide screening, assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions for a variety of psychiatric disorders, emphasizing time-limited, evidence-based approaches.
• Develop comprehensive treatment plans with Veterans through shared decision-making, including projected discharge goals and timelines.
• Discharge Veterans from care when they have reached their identified goals and integrate internal and external support resources.
• Provide specialized interventions and treatment modalities for Veterans with complex needs, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and psychosocial or case-management interventions.
• Deliver evidence-based psychotherapy interventions for mental health disorders treated in BHIP.
• Conduct timely, comprehensive assessments of at-risk Veterans in crisis, identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plans as appropriate.
• Provide psychoeducation to patients and family members to support healthcare adherence and relapse prevention.
• Coordinate specialized psychosocial services and programs, and provide consultation to colleagues and trainees.
• Teach and mentor staff and trainees and provide supervision for licensure or specialty certifications.
• Communicate with leadership, staff, and community stakeholders about policies, procedures, practice guidelines, and professional practice issues.
• Design system changes based on data.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with a potential award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on qualifying prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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