Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Summary

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (GS-09/11) serves as an Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Coordinator within the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). Duties include psychosocial assessments, mental health care coordination, treatment planning, crisis intervention, referrals, monitoring high-risk Veterans, and promoting continuity of care. GS-09 counselors work under clinical supervision, while GS-11 counselors practice independently.

Duties

• Major duties include, but are not limited to: Conducts psychosocial and mental health care coordination assessments to identify Veterans' treatment needs, risk factors, and barriers to care. Develops, implements, monitors, and adjusts individualized mental health care coordination plans in collaboration with Veterans and interdisciplinary treatment teams. Coordinates mental health services, referrals, appointments, and transitions of care across VA specialty programs and community resources. Provides same-day access, walk-in services, clinical triage, urgent referrals, and crisis intervention within the scope of practice. Serves as a primary point of contact for Veterans, promoting treatment engagement, continuity of care, and access to appropriate services. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to address complex mental health needs, including suicide prevention and high-risk Veterans. Provides education and resources to Veterans, families, and caregivers to support self-management, informed decision-making, and recovery. Monitors population health dashboards to identify gaps in care, track assigned Veterans, and facilitate proactive outreach. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of assessments, treatment plans, interventions, and care coordination activities in the electronic health record. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, program evaluations, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance mental health services. Grade-Level Distinction: At the GS-09 level, duties are performed under clinical supervision, with increasing independence as competencies develop. At the GS-11 level, duties are performed independently using advanced clinical judgment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 63552F, 63553F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy. 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 Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, and Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling. NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation Counseling programs accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standard because Traditional Rehabilitation Counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment. Exception: VHA may waive the licensure requirement at the GS-09 entry level for otherwise qualified applicants completing state prerequisites for licensure. The appointing official may grant a waiver for a period not to exceed three years. Unlicensed LPMHCs must practice under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC at or above the full-performance level. Applicants selected at the GS-11 level must possess the required independent practice license. Grandfather Provision: Employees serving as LPMHCs in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard who met the qualification requirements applicable at the time of their appointment may be covered by the grandfathering provisions outlined in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G43. English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j. Grade Determinations Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-09 (Entry Level) Experience, Education, and Licensure: The GS-09 level is the entry grade for LPMHCs with less than one year of post-master's degree experience or for master's or doctoral degree graduates who are not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed LPMHCs must have completed the required education and be working toward meeting state licensure prerequisites. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Ability to conduct intake assessments, identify problems, formulate diagnoses, develop and implement treatment plans, evaluate outcomes, and provide follow-up care. Knowledge of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for developing treatment goals and applying appropriate clinical interventions. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practices, human development principles, and interventions addressing high-risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development. Ability to provide individual, group, and family counseling interventions. Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals and families. Basic skill in computer applications, data management, clinical documentation, and delivery of services, including telehealth. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used by VHA. Knowledge of applicable statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations governing professional counseling practice. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Assignment: GS-09 LPMHCs perform professional mental health counseling services under close clinical supervision, including co-signatures when required. They are not authorized to practice independe…

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/.