Summary
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. 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.
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Overview
* Accepting applications
* Open & closing dates
02/23/2024 to 02/21/2025
* Salary
$59,966 - $94,317 per year
* Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
* El Paso, TX 1 vacancy
* Remote job
No
* Telework eligible
Yes-as determined by the agency policy.
* Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
* Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
* Appointment type
Permanent -
* Work schedule
Full-time -
* Service
Excepted
* Promotion potential
11
* Job family (Series)
0183 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
* Supervisory status
No
* Security clearance
Other
* Drug test
No
* Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
* Trust determination process
Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
* Announcement number
CAZM-12328891-24-JRH
* Control number
778157000
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This job is open to
* The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to US Citizens. If you are a (Current & Permanent) Federal Employee or a (Current or Former) Participant of a VA Health Profession Trainee (HPT) Program, please apply to our Internal Announcement: CAZM-12328890-24-JRH.
Help This job is also open in another announcement to:
* Federal employees - Competitive service
* Federal employees - Excepted service
* Internal to an agency
Help This job is also open in another announcement to:
* Federal employees - Competitive service
* Federal employees - Excepted service
* Internal to an agency
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Duties
The position is located within the Behavioral Health Service. The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide a broad range of assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, education, outreach, referral and program evaluation duties in support of services to Veterans who are diagnosed with substance-related disorders.
The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) will be assigned to one or more BHIP teams as an embedded SUD expert and will be primarily responsible for completing secondary screenings and assessments to determine the need for brief intervention and/or a referral to SUD specialty care on patients referred by providers on the BHIP teams to which they are assigned.
The LPMHC:
* completes social histories and psychosocial assessments for Veterans assigned to SUD in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, and significant others. In order to comply with Joint Commission Behavioral Health standards of care, all veterans referred to the incumbent will be assessed utilizing the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Multidimensional Assessment tool that is used to place a patient into an appropriate level of care across the ASAM continuum.
* provides early and brief intervention for SUD to Veterans for whom it is indicated. Collectively, the BHIP-SUD provider in collaboration with other BHIP team members will provide Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for those presenting with potential/ actual substance use disorders.
* completes biopsychosocial assessments, deliver crisis intervention services, provide individual and group psychotherapies, and specialized clinical interventions within the BHIP team(s).
* demonstrates an understanding of the treatment needed for all adult patients related to their psychological needs, physical limitations, and age-associated illnesses and conditions including those of the geriatric population. This initial assessment will be completed according to facility and Behavioral health service policy.
* develops an individualized plan of care or treatment plan for each Veteran with whom he/she is assigned, with measurable goals outlined based on relevant psychological, medical, and psychiatric information and principles. This treatment plan will be completed by the Veteran's third visit and will be updated as appropriate and as per BHS and/or facility policy.
* identifies, develops, and facilitates accessibility and utilization of VA and community resources to meet the needs of the Veteran, their family, and clinics.
* collaborates with and utilizes other members of the interdisciplinary team such as psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers, addiction therapists, and other LPCs to provide comprehensive care to patients.
* identifies high risk patients and provides case management and therapy services.
* provides crisis intervention services seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences, and serves as a liaison to family members.
* assesses acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects
* documents each Veteran's progress by creating a progress note for each encounter; progress notes are written to address the Veteran's individual plan of care.
* revises the plan of care according to clinic procedure and enters patient data into the computerized patient record system (CPRS) using the appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, timely, and professional manner to insure information regarding the patient can be shared with other VA staff.
* attends all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, therapist staff meetings, BHS staff meetings, and other committee meetings as appropriate) and perform other duties as required. seminars, and training related to substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
* reviews materials made available at the SUD meetings, Behavioral Health Service staff meetings, and via other modalities provided by SUD supervisor.
* uses initiative, resourcefulness, and professionalism in deviating from traditional methods or trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, and propose new policies.
* practices at an advanced level and independently gathers relevant information to guide practice, including community LPC standards.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework may be authorized as needed.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator at VISN17EDRP2@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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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 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).
* Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
Applicants pending certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected under an exception.
Basic Requirements:
* United States Citizenship: 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 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.
* Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0101 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.
* NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
*

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.
* The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. The Human Resources Office will provide the unlicensed LPMHC in writing the requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date.
* Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
* 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: GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. The GS-9 grade level is the entry grade level for LPMHCs 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
* Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up.
* Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices.
* 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.
* Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills.
* 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.
* 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.
* Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA.
* Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling.
* Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
GS-11 Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
* Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation.
* Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship.
* 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.
* Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill.
* Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.
* Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills.
* 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.
* 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.
See the Additional Information section for more information
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Must have 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). 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. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Note: If your school was accredited by Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CACREP website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Preferred Experience:
* Knowledge of working with Veteran population
* Advanced knowledge of complex mental illnesses
* Advanced knowledge of treatment modalities, i.e. individual, groups
References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G43, Dated 4/3/2018. 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-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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 covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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* Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.