LICENSED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (PROGRAM MANAGER)-LOCAL RECOVERY COORDINATOR Job in Grand Junction, CO

Vacancy No. CBSU-12593024-25-MJR Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $103,409.00 to $134,435.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/6/2024 Close Date 1/31/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Grand Junction, CO


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) & 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 ineligible to apply.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position is ONLY open to current, permanent VA Grand Junction (WCHCS) Employees, VA Employees Nationwide, and all other Federal Employees. *** If you are NOT a current federal employee, please apply to the Public Announcement CBSU-12593025-25-MJR**

Duties

The Local Recovery Coordinator (LRC) is in the Mental Health Service Line and serves to 1) develop recovery policies and procedures in the Mental Health Service and to 2) implement recovery services in Mental Health programs, 3) educate providers across WCHCS, veterans and their families on recovery and 4) evaluate recovery implementation efforts. The Local Recovery Coordinator for WCHCS is responsible for the recovery efforts and education at all primary and CBOC clinic sites within the VA WCHCS service area. The Local Recovery Coordinator has supervisory responsibilities over the Peer Support Program.

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Local Recovery Coordinator Program Manager practices at the advanced level and has specialized knowledge of practice related to the mentally ill population.

VA Western Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS) is a Level 3 facility with service-lines serving medical, surgical, neurological, and psychiatric inpatients and outpatients, with a Level III Emergency Department, multiple VA Clinics, and a Community Living Center (CLC). There is a significant outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) and telehealth nursing care is also provided. Home-Based Primary Care is provided in the veteran's homes.

Local Recovery Coordinator Duties Include:

  • Advises MH Chief on filling peer specialist positions and provides administrative and clinical supervision to peer specialists.
  • Assists with VA regional or local recovery-oriented trainings, meetings, or conferences as needed.
  • Serves as a MH Liaison to the facility Mental Health Council.
  • Provides an annual report on implementation progress to the VISN, RC and the NRC; other reports will also be prepared as requested.
  • Meets quarterly via conference call with the VISN RC to coordinate a network response to recovery implementation and implementation of policies and procedures related to recovery.
  • Participates in facility MH leadership meetings and policy planning groups.
  • Coordinates and facilitates the annual Mental Health Summit.
  • Provides education to the facility staff on recovery and reducing stigma for Veterans with mental health needs.
  • Revises and writes policy consistent with recovery orientation.
  • Ensures recovery-oriented environment.
  • Serves on interdisciplinary team that conducts the Mental Health Environment of Care Rounds and ensures overall safety and recovery orientation of the inpatient mental health unit.
  • Monitors and reports on LRC-related SAIL measures.
  • Leads SMI re-engage efforts and reports to VISN on SMI re-engage.
  • SME for development and implementation of peer support services.
  • SME for providing education to staff, Veterans, families, and/or the community on recovery, serious mental illness, or other areas of expertise. Provides consultation to VA medical facility Inpatient Mental Health Services (IMHS) staff regarding recovery-oriented care, including education and training as needed. This includes review of policies, procedures, staff trainings, Veteran treatment materials, and other components of IMHS at least annually.
  • Develops a local Standard Operating Procedure addressing the education, staff training, and implementation of recovery oriented care on the inpatient mental health unit. Periodic climate assessments and observations of staff interactions with Veterans in the milieu are also recommended.
  • Champion of recovery as "upstream suicide prevention" in all levels of care.
  • Coordinates/Facilitates high-level outreach and community engagement.
  • Consults on mental health policies, standard operating procedures, and mental health guidance documents to ensure that recovery principles and the voice of the Veteran are represented.
  • Position requires that the incumbent possess and maintain a current valid state driver's license. Travel to national conferences will also be required.
  • LRC is a supervisory position with responsibility for the outpatient mental health peer support specialists' direct reports. Manages all personnel issues for the peer supports specialists, including but not limited to the performance reviews, approval of leave, disciplinary actions.
  • Engage in direct clinical services providing recovery-oriented care to seriously mentally ill Veterans.
  • Provide coordination within the VISN and serving as a Point of Contact to the National Recovery Coordinator and National Recovery Advisory Committee.
Work Schedule: M-F; 8:00AM-4:30PM
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 60143-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact Jillana Martinez (jillana.martinez@va.gov), the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until January 31, 2025. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be November 15, 2024. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. ***

Basic Requirements:

-Citizenship
Be a citizen of the United States.

-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.

-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.

Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager), GS-13

Experience, Education and Licensure
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. The experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:
  • Ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management.
  • Ability to monitor program outcomes using data driven quality assurance process.
  • Ability to develop productivity standards appropriate to each service provided.
  • Ability to manage a wide range of programs which include the operation and management of key clinical, training or administrative programs.
Assignments
LPMHCs manage the daily operations of multiple programs, develop and implement program policies and procedures, or serve as chief or principal counselor to a number of LPHMCs. They are responsible for oversight of administrative and programmatic resources and monitoring of outcomes. They prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national leadership. Decisions may affect staff and other resources associated with the programs managed and are made while exercising wide latitude and independent judgment. They may be responsible for the program's budget. They may also supervise employees assigned to the program.

Preferred Experience: VA experience preferred

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The position is generally involving activities normally associated office based mental health practices. No unusual physical demands are placed on the incumbent. The work requires extreme patience and control of emotions in a multi-disciplinary work setting.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

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 and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Benefits

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.

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. 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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • License
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/31/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12593024.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
VA Western Colorado Health Care System
2121 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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