Job Seekers

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) provides a wide range of counseling services to Veterans in the SUDRP who may have psychiatric and medical problems in addition to substance use related issues. The SUDRP LMHC provides initial and continuing outpatient clinical care to patients with substance use disorders. 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: *New York State licensure is not qualifying for GS 11 due to state licensure does not permit 'diagnosis'. Specialized 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) 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. In addition to the specialized experience, candidates must demonstrate, in their resume, all of the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 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. 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: Experience working with individuals with Substance Use Disorders References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/106 PART II APPENDIX G43 Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to stand, walk, bend, climb stairs, push, lift light materials, and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent must have good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. The incumbent must demonstrate emotional stability. The incumbent must be able to communicate efficiently by expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word Vision must be correctable to 20/40. The incumbent must be able to work in an environment with constant noise, work closely with others, and work alone. In addition, the incumbent must be able to utilize, view, and read information on computer screens; operate a pager; and operate the required phone equipment. The individual must be able to operate a motor vehicle. Therapists' duties include personal encounters with patients, visitors, and other employees. These individuals may experience crisis, may become volatile and require de-escalation techniques, as well as extreme patience. Psychologists are required to have excellent communication and interpersonal relationship skills to interact with individuals with a wide variety of medical and psychiatric conditions including handling potentially aggressive behavior. ["Duties of the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LMHC/LPMHC) are to include, but not limited to:\nScreening/Assessment- In conjunction with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran's family members and significant others, the LMHC screens eligible Veterans for substance use disorder services and completes/updates a psychosocial assessment per Medical Center policy. He/She will work with the Veteran to gather and evaluate information pertinent to treatment planning and goal setting an with the Veteran's consent, will gather and evaluate information from collateral sources. The goal of the assessment process is to not only gather the data from these sources, but to appropriately analyze the information to assist the Veteran in identifying strengths and perceived barriers, internal/external supports and overall service needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting- The LMHC works closely with the Veteran to develop a recovery-based treatment plan, which builds on the analysis of information gathers in the assessment and the strengths and barriers identified by the Veteran. The incumbent works with the Veteran to develop goals and objectives that are specific, measurable, realistic, and time limited. The plan will be completed within established timeframes and updated when there are changes in patient condition and/or circumstances that impact care outcomes Case Management- the LMHC will oversee the coordination of services in which the Veteran participates, both through VA and community agencies. He/She may also function as the MHTC for the Veteran, overseeing the Veteran's care and ensuring that he or she accesses the most appropriate level of treatment in the least restrictive environment. The LMHC will educate the Veteran, his or her family, and appropriate collaterals about all the services and resources available and will collaborate with the Veteran in accessing necessary resources. As a case manager, the incumbent monitors for treatment adherence, promote adherence through motivational interviewing, and coordinate services to sustain adherence. Referral to service providers - With knowledge of VA and community substance use treatment resources, the LMHC will refer Veterans to these supports based on the Veteran's preferences and clinical indications. Resource Usage/Development- The Licensed Mental Health Counselor will participate in the review and development of psychosocial resources needed to assist substance dependent Veteran in overcoming the psychosocial consequences of their addictions. Additionally, assistance will be provided to the Veteran in accessing information about Veteran's benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and employment services, while facilitating cooperative efforts between the hospital and other community agencies on behalf of the Veteran. Consultation- the LMHC will respond to other medical center services needing consultation on substance abuse or dependence issues, services, resources, or treatment. Advocacy- The LMHC advocates for Veterans to ensure that they have access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community. By availing the Veteran of his or her choices in complex decisions and by guiding the Veteran through complicated application procedures for financial benefits and/or housing, the LMHC facilitates the best possible outcome for the Veteran. Crisis Intervention- The LMHC will assess and intervene in any medical or psychiatric crises presenting by the Veteran and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, the LMHC will follow protocols of the SUDRP, Psychiatry Service, and the Medical Center. Education/Health promotion and prevention- The LMHC provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer to Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. The LMHC may provide training to other disciplines to improve their understanding of addiction issues. Supportive counseling, group therapy, psycho-education- Through multiple modalities using evidence-based interventions including individual, family, and group psychotherapy, the incumbent will help the Veteran develop the cognitive framework for understanding his/her addiction, and develop strategies for improving problem-solving, effective coping, relapse prevention and life management. Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm No Weekends/Holidays\nCompressed/Flexible: Available, four-10s\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Incentives are not authorized for this vacancy.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]