Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Mental Health Therapist) BHIP

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor position provides outpatient mental health treatment to Veterans who are connected with the Syracuse VAMC and its Community Based Outpatient clinics (CBOCs). This position is located at the Ithaca VA Community Based Clinic.

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. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).
• 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-0183 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.

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).

Preferred Experience: One year of post-master's experience as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor.

Grade Determinations

:GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 1 year of post-master's degree mental health counseling experience; OR

In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in mental health counseling, or a related field may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional mental health counseling experience.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/50, part II, Appendix G43 For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary.

Responsibilities:

The Outpatient BHIP LPMHC Therapist at the GS-11 level provides advanced, recovery-oriented psychotherapy to Veterans-individually and as couples-to support the stabilization and management of psychiatric symptoms. The incumbent independently conducts comprehensive psychosocial and mental health assessments, delivers crisis intervention services, provides advocacy, and coordinates referrals to appropriate VA or community providers. Clinical services are offered through both telehealth and in-person modalities to ensure timely and consistent access to care.

At this level of practice, the therapist exercises independent clinical judgment and collaborates closely with Veterans, their natural supports, and interdisciplinary treatment team members to develop, implement, and monitor evidence-based, person-centered treatment plans. The incumbent contributes to a comprehensive continuum of mental health services designed to promote recovery, enhance functioning, and improve overall well-being.

Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position:

• Collaborate with Veterans and their support systems to determine appropriate mental health treatment options.- Complete psychosocial assessments with the interdisciplinary team, considering all available treatment modalities
• Use knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and terminology to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
• Understand treatment procedures for psychiatric conditions and common medications.
• Apply evidence-based therapies (e.g., ACT, CBT, CPT, PE) and facilitate inpatient groups
• Contribute to treatment planning and goal setting with Veterans, families, and clinical staff.
• Perform rapid assessments and create crisis management plans for potential psychiatric admission or residential care.
• Work with other service providers to reassess needs, make referrals, and involve surrogate decision makers when appropriate
• Support discharge planning to ensure smooth transitions between levels of care.
• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally; document interventions in the electronic health record.
• Review provider notes to identify strengths and challenges for comprehensive care.
• Provide consultation on psychosocial factors affecting treatment and coordinate care across services
• Support continuity of care during transfers and understand Veterans' benefits to guide referrals
• Perform other duties as needed to support organizational and Veteran needs.
• Participate in professional peer review, case conferences, and ongoing evaluation of practice.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Note: This position may be filled by a Psychologist, Social Worker or Licensed Mental Health Professional (LPMHC). These three positions are advertised separately on USAJobs. If you are interested in any position, please apply to the respective job announcement.

This vacancy is a multi-disciplinary announcement.
If you are a Psychologist and are interested in applying, please apply here
f you are a Social Worker and are interested in applying, please apply here

Salary : $74,678