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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Near Saint Cloud, MN

Qualifications:

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:

• 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.
  • 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.
• English Language Proficiency. LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-9 (Entry Level)

• (a) 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. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in paragraph 3.b., and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below.
• (b) Demonstrated 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 of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling 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.

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)

(a) 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 and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below. 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.
(b) 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:

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.

Responsibilities:

Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The LPMHC will formulate a mutually agreed upon treatment plan, which includes measurable goals, objectives and treatment methods based upon the patient assessment. The treatment plan will be used to direct a course of treatment. The treatment plan will be completed within the time frame indicated by MH RRTP policy. The plan will be reviewed within 21 days of admission or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's condition or needs. The LPMHC will provide comprehensive case management to include discharge planning for Veterans in MH RRTP.
Referral to service providers - Throughout the course of treatment the LPMHC is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The LPMHC will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. The LPMHC is responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker.
Resource Usage/Development - The LPMHC is responsible for using VA and community resources to enhance treatment, referrals, and aftercare options throughout the veterans' course of treatment. The LPMHC will refer the veteran to needed services.
Advocacy - LPMHC understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, LPMHC will educate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.
Crisis Intervention - LPMHC is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans in MH RRTP. This includes the ability to facilitate written crisis plans, suicide risk assessments, collaborative safety action plans, and assessment of homicidal ideation. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol to facilitate safe and supportive placement for a veteran on the acute psychiatric unit consistent with Medical Center, Mental Health ICC, and MH RRTP policy.
Education/Health promotion and prevention - LPMHC provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. MH RRTP LPMHC will provide education to veterans related to Advance Directives/Living Will's and will facilitate completion for veteran's enrolled in MH RRTP. The MH RRTP LPMHC functions as a team resource to complete Advance Directives/Living Will's for interdisciplinary team to which they are assigned.
Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services -The LPMHC will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran being referred for mental health services. LPMHC will educate the veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the veteran and family on the preferred option.
Counseling - LPMHC will provide the veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with chronic/disabling illness (es), onset of a catastrophic illness, mental health and substance use diagnosis. LPMHC will provide group counseling to Veterans in MH RRTP.
Administrative responsibilities - The LPMHC will enter all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff. This information will be reviewed on a regular basis. The LPMHC will establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. LPMHC will attend all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, huddles, other committees as appropriate, etc.) and perform other duties as required. The LPMHC will collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. LPMHC will participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. The LPMHC will, as appropriate, supervise the LPMHC students.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0800-1630 or 0730-1600 evenings and weekends maybe required
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact VHAVISN23EDRP@va.gov., the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary