Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to all U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts psychosocial and mental health care coordination assessments to identify Veterans' treatment needs, risk factors, and barriers to care.
• Develops, implements, monitors, and adjusts individualized mental health care coordination plans in collaboration with Veterans and interdisciplinary treatment teams.
• Coordinates mental health services, referrals, appointments, and transitions of care across VA specialty programs and community resources.
• Provides same-day access, walk-in services, clinical triage, urgent referrals, and crisis intervention within the scope of practice.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for Veterans, promoting treatment engagement, continuity of care, and access to appropriate services.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to address complex mental health needs, including suicide prevention and high-risk Veterans.
• Provides education and resources to Veterans, families, and caregivers to support self-management, informed decision-making, and recovery.
• Monitors population health dashboards to identify gaps in care, track assigned Veterans, and facilitate proactive outreach.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of assessments, treatment plans, interventions, and care coordination activities in the electronic health record.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, program evaluations, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance mental health services.

Grade-Level Distinction: At the GS-09 level, duties are performed under clinical supervision, with increasing independence as competencies develop. At the GS-11 level, duties are performed independently using advanced clinical judgment.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 63552F, 63553F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may 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 Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, and Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling.

NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation Counseling programs accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standard because Traditional Rehabilitation Counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling.

Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment.

Exception: VHA may waive the licensure requirement at the GS-09 entry level for otherwise qualified applicants completing state prerequisites for licensure. The appointing official may grant a waiver for a period not to exceed three years. Unlicensed LPMHCs must practice under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC at or above the full-performance level. Applicants selected at the GS-11 level must possess the required independent practice license.

Grandfather Provision: Employees serving as LPMHCs in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard who met the qualification requirements applicable at the time of their appointment may be covered by the grandfathering provisions outlined in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G43.

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

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-09 (Entry Level)

Experience, Education, and Licensure: The GS-09 level is the entry grade for LPMHCs with less than one year of post-master's degree experience or for master's or doctoral degree graduates who are not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed LPMHCs must have completed the required education and be working toward meeting state licensure prerequisites.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs):

1. Ability to conduct intake assessments, identify problems, formulate diagnoses, develop and implement treatment plans, evaluate outcomes, and provide follow-up care.

2. Knowledge of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for developing treatment goals and applying appropriate clinical interventions.

3. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practices, human development principles, and interventions addressing high-risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development.

4. Ability to provide individual, group, and family counseling interventions.

5. Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals and families.

6. Basic skill in computer applications, data management, clinical documentation, and delivery of services, including telehealth.

7. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used by VHA.

8. Knowledge of applicable statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations governing professional counseling practice.

9. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Assignment: GS-09 LPMHCs perform professional mental health counseling services under close clinical supervision, including co-signatures when required. They are not authorized to practice independently.

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

Experience, Education, and Licensure: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must possess at least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA), hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice independently, and demonstrate the required KSAs.

In addition to meeting the GS-09 KSAs, candidates must demonstrate the following:

1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations regarding treatment planning and implementation.

2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the counseling process, including identifying patient and family problems and maintaining effective counseling relationships.

3. Ability to provide professional consultation to colleagues and trainees regarding counseling practices, specialty areas, case progress, and clinical approaches.

4. Ability to independently provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients experiencing psychological distress.

5. Ability to collaboratively establish treatment goals using advanced counseling skills, evidence-based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessments.

6. Ability to provide a wide range of individual, group, and family counseling interventions.

7. Ability to independently utilize the current DSM to formulate diagnoses, establish treatment goals, and implement appropriate clinical interventions.

8. Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducational groups addressing life skills, family support, and community integration, including evidence-based psychotherapy.

Assignment: GS-11 LPMHCs function at the full-performance level and independently provide professional mental health counseling services, exercising clinical judgment in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and coordination of care.

Creditable Experience

To be creditable, experience must be post-master's degree professional mental health counseling experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current LPMHC practice.

Part-time experience is creditable in proportion to the full-time workweek. Qualifying fellowship or post-graduate training may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis.

Practicum experience completed before obtaining the qualifying master's degree may not be substituted for the required professional experience.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G43, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Qualification Standard, GS-0183.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the Facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants.

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

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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

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