Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Primary Care Mental Health Integration

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Responsibilities: The PCMHI LPMHC provides functional assessment, triage, intervention, education and consultative services regarding a wide range of mental health and behavioral medicine concerns, on referral from primary care providers and allied PACT members. The PCMHI LPMHC uses population-based practice management strategies and maintains competences in the following core domains: Conduct functional assessments, based on 30-minute appointments and will triage/refer to specialty care services as appropriate. Applies principles of population-based care (defines roles and identifies problems rapidly) 75% of all appointments are 30 minutes (will vary by setting) Uses brief assessments routinely (clinical reminders, PHQ9, GAD7, PCL5, AUDITC, etc.) Conducts suicide assessment and safety planning for high-risk Veterans Assist in assessing and coordinating care for Veterans who are in need of acute psychiatric stabilization Initial consultation appointment is based on functional assessments and treatment focuses on functional outcomes. Maintains daily open access slots. Provides brief mental health and behavioral interventions (e.g. 1-6 session for broad range of concerns). Uses time-limited, evidence based, interventions that are simple and concrete. Triages appropriately and efficiently to specialty mental health services. Provides brief assessment and/or intervention to address (including but not limited to): o Depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, MST, trauma, sleep issues, chronic pain, substance abuse/dependence (including tobacco use), anger management, relationship distress, management of chronic medical conditions, attentional concerns, memory concerns. o Other interventions will be provided as clinically appropriate, based on Veteran need. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran (may include Veteran's family) and with PACT. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans (may include Veteran's family) experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems. PCMHI Group Clinical Practice Management: Conducts group therapy with up to 12 Veterans (Of note, group size may be dependent on topic, group facilitator discretion, etc.) for 30-90 minutes sessions addressing relevant behavioral health topics. Group formatting (open versus closed) is determined by group facilitator(s) Patient Care Management Overview: Provide case management services, as needed and/or indicated Demonstrates knowledge of local, state and other VA programs and resources. Has general knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension. Facilitates referrals based upon Veterans' needs and eligibility. Assesses for and identifies high-risk Veteran and implements appropriate safety protocols. Provides crisis intervention services and has working knowledge of referral process for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and residential PTSD, SUD, and other specialty programs. Has working knowledge in diagnosis and treatment of a broad spectrum of mental health diagnoses. This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries and medical terminology. Provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Has expertise in providing EBTs as applicable to the primary care setting. Able to develop specialized interventions tailored to unique needs of Veteran populations and provide innovations in delivery of mental health programs. Demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff and trainees in specialized areas of practice. Consultation Skills: • Routinely consults with PCPs and other PACT members about plan of care for Veterans • Conducts effective brief consultations with PACTs and non-PACT staff Academic/Teaching/Training: • Opportunities for scaffolding supervision of social work predoctoral interns and practicum students in accord with training program policies and accrediting agency requirements Program Evaluation: Participates in program evaluation and/or research activities Expectation to review program analysis, provide appropriate assessments of outcomes, and make recommendations as needed. Assists in the development and implementation of follow-up systems to track completed tasks or other issues and concerns relating to the PCMHI (intake and assessment, treatment planning, service delivery, discharge planning, case management, resource allocation, outreach, etc.) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Ad-Hoc Functional Statement #: 436-52700-O, 436-52701-O, 436-52702-O Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. BASIC REQUIREMENTS 1. United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. Education. Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling. CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program. Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/ NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling. 3. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). GRADE DETERMINATIONS GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, the GS-9 grade level is the entry grade level with less than one year of experience (post-master's degree) or for LPMHCs at the master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. 2. Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application practices. 3. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, and strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the life span. 4. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 5. Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help patients function effectively. 6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation and delivery of services, such as Telehealth. 7. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. 8. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. 9. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one (1) year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee. Some state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. Please refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. 2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 3. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings and discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases and confer about the counseling perspectives and orientation. 4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. 5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment. 6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 7. Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices. 8. Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy. Preferred Experience Experience working within a multidisciplinary team Experience working with Veterans Competence in handling Veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts and triaging care needs Preference given to fully licensed candidates Preferred experience in use of VA electronic health record systems and care coordination databases to triage Veteran care needs Preferred experience in working with active military and/or Veterans Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The Incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the incumbent or others. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.