General Mental Health Program Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC)

General Mental Health Program Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC)

Join to apply for the General Mental Health Program Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Duties

The General Mental Health Program is a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals which provides comprehensive, accessible, Veteran-centered mental health care. The LPMHC assigned to this team is responsible for coordinating and providing specialty mental health counseling. The LPMHC conducts assessment interviews, develops treatment plans and provides treatment to eligible Veterans. Treatment modalities may include crisis intervention, intake evaluations, outreach services as well as empirically based treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. The LPMHC may refer clients to other programs and professionals as appropriate. The LPMHC also participates in and provides consultation to other team members and participates in conjoint emergency treatment with medical facility mental health personnel.

Functions

Clinical Responsibilities (90% of time)

• Provides professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations regarding the mental health care of Veterans for treatment planning and implementation of care.
• Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy.
• Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders.
• Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues.
• Facilitates patient and family education appropriate to the general mental health outpatient setting and the specific presenting mental health issues;
• Provides consultation services to professional staff within the VAMC-Atlanta and to community providers, concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients.

Administrative/Program Evaluation/Outcome Measurement/Research (up to 5% time)

• Assists the program director or coordinator in the design, development, and implementation of clinical programs for a team of treatment providers.
• Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team, established by the affiliated MHSL Director/Manager.
• Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services.
• Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients.
• Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes).
• Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Mental Health Service Line Director (or designee) and facility Director.

Other Significant Responsibilities (up to 5% time)

• Participates in hospital and/or Mental Health Service Line committee membership, LPMHC discipline meetings, and/or ongoing special project assignments as approved/assigned.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, flexible day tour.

Telework

Ad-hoc telework is available.

Virtual

This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement

Functional Statement #: 59530F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not authorized

EDRP Authorized

Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• 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 trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable forms of identification will be required (I-9). Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used as acceptable identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only 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 CACREP-accredited program. Examples of related fields include Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling. CACREP directs the eligibility; see http://www.cacrep.org/directory/ for details.
• Note: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are CACREP-accredited do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards.
• Licensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment.
• English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Grandfathering: May qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (current VHA employees who meet criteria).
• Must pass a background check.

Grade Determinations:

• GS-11 LPMHC — This is the full performance grade level for LPMHCs. They are licensed to independently practice and may be assigned to any VHA area; involvement in program evaluation and/or research may occur.
• Experience, Education and Licensure: At least one year of post-master\’s or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and licensure to practice independently.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: Includes the ability to evaluate and plan treatment, advanced counseling skills, crisis intervention, consultation, diversity sensitivity, DSM usage, and group life skills/psychoeducation.

References: VA Handbook 5005/106, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR QUALIFICATION STANDARD.

Physical Requirements: Usually works indoors in areas with adequate heat, light, and ventilation; primarily sedentary with some walking, standing, bending, and carrying small items.

Education Note: Education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcript; see links for details.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave based on years of service; this may be credited toward accrual rate. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to appointment.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers. Opting in does not impact your application or guarantee further consideration.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are not covered by Schedule A.

If you are unable to apply online, reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant\’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act, visit HRA/OSP at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you will have access to benefits. This position opens in a new window. Review our benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

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