Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC)

Overview

Join the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) role at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This position is part of the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) within a multidisciplinary primary care team and provides brief consultation-based mental health services to Veterans in the PCMHI model.

Responsibilities

• Provides a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services appropriate to the primary care setting, including general psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment.
• Provides a full range of psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with emphasis on brief, evidence-based interventions suitable for primary care; services may be delivered in person or via telehealth.
• Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload, including prompt completion of clinical reminders.
• Facilitates patient and family education appropriate to presenting mental or behavioral health issues in the primary care setting.
• Provides consultation services to support PCP decision-making, building on PCP interventions and improving PCP–patient working relationships.
• Provides interventions with a focus on allowing patients to remain with their Primary Care Provider (PCP) for the full range of health care needs when clinically appropriate.
• 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, as established by the affiliated MHSL Director/Manager.
• Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs to coordinate services effectively.
• Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely healthcare screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients.
• Complies with 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, and attends discipline-specific trainings/meetings.
• Participates in hospital and/or Mental Health Service Line committee membership and/or ongoing special project assignments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Details

• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, flexible day tour.
• Telework: Ad-hoc telework is available.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 59990F
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Programs and Benefits

EDRP information: The Education Debt Reduction Program may apply. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentives. The program office may determine award amounts up to $200,000 and eligibility periods from one to five years after review of the EDRP application. For questions, contact the EDRP Coordinator.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Proficiency 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, REAL ID compliant IDs are required for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. citizen. Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
  • Education: Master’s or Doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; CACREP-accredited program; or related fields such as Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, or Marital/Couple and Family Counseling. CACREP directory provides details: cacrep.org.
  • Note on CACREP: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs accredited by CACREP do not meet LPMHC qualification standards.
  • L icensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as an LPMHC, including diagnosis and treatment.
  • English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English per VA regulations.
  • Grandfathering: May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision if applicable to current VA employees in this occupation.
  • Background check required.
  • Onboarding and acceptable identification documents (I-9); REAL ID requirements apply after May 7, 2025.
  • Participation in the influenza vaccination program required.

Grade Determinations

• GS-11 LPMHC — Fully independent practice; may be assigned to any VHA area; may participate in program evaluation and/or research.
• Experience, Education and Licensure: In addition to basic requirements, at least one year of post-master’s or post-doctoral degree mental health counseling experience; licensed to practice at independent level; KSAs include the ability to evaluate, plan, intervene, crisis manage, use diverse interventions, apply DSM, and develop groups.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning.
• Advanced knowledge of counseling process fundamentals and maintaining an effective counseling relationship.
• Ability to provide subject-matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas.
• Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients in psychological distress, requiring independent judgment.
• Ability to establish goals/treatment through collaborative processes using evidence-based practices and psychosocial assessment.
• Ability to use a wide range of counseling interventions; sensitivity to diversity and multicultural counseling skills.
• Ability to apply the current DSM in diagnoses and treatment planning.
• Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho-education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration (evidence-based approaches).

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. The work is primarily sedentary; some walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items.

Education Note

Only 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 Leave: Federal employees may qualify for leave accrual credit based on prior service or military service; such credit is not guaranteed. You may opt to share your resume with hiring managers for similar positions. This job 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. If you cannot apply online, contact the Agency listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. The Fair Chance Act information and related policy are provided. Benefits information: federal benefits are available; eligibility depends on position type.

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