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Incumbent is administratively within Psychology Service and the Mental Health Service Line, with primary assignment to the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program, located within primary care. The incumbent functions as part of multidisciplinary primary care teams, and delivers brief, consultation-based services to Veterans within that setting. This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 07/05/2022. Additional applications will be referred as needed. 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Education. Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by CACREP. Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple & 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 & unrestricted license to independently practice as a LPMHC, 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. 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. HR 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. Failure to Obtain License. In all cases, LPMHCs must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed within three years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0101 LPMHC series & may result in termination of employment. Loss of Licensure. Once licensed, LPMHCs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnosis and treatment. Loss of licensure will result in removal from the GS-0101 LPMHC occupation and may result in termination of employment. Grandfather Provision. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive & Handbook 5019 English Language Proficiency. LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken & written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j Grade Determinations: GS-9 Experience, Education & Licensure. 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 & are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to engage in intake & assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation & follow-up Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions & strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth & career development across the life span Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity & possesses multicultural counseling skills Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal & relational functioning of individuals, groups & families and on the counseling approaches, strategies & techniques that will best help patients function effectively Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely & thorough clinical documentation & delivery of services, such as Telehealth Ability to learn & utilize software programs in use by VHA Knowledge & understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes & regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally & in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. GS-11 Experience, Education & 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) & must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level & demonstrate the KSAs 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. 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: Qualifications continued under Additional Information ["Duties include, but are not limited to:\nAdministrative May be selected by the ACOS for Mental Health to serve as the psychology service representative on various Psychology Service, Mental Health Service Line, System, or VISN administrative committees or work groups. May coordinate programming within both various mental health and primary care programs in coordination with managers of such programs as well as with discipline supervisors of affected staff assigned to these programs. Clinical Providing a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including the use of psychological testing for patients within VATVCBHCS in areas of special interest and within scope of expertise, referring to the PCMHI psychologist for guidance and interpretation as appropriate. Performing psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning recommendations within scope of expertise, referring to the PCMHI psychologist for guidance and interpretation as appropriate. These evaluations employ a comprehensive diagnostic interview, review of available records, collateral contact when available, as well as objective, and cognitive tests when indicated. Providing a range of psychological therapeutic interventions, including group and individual formats, with individuals with mental health and medical disorders utilizing empirically supported modalities when indicated, within scope of expertise, referring to the PCMHI psychologist for guidance and interpretation as appropriate. Services may be delivered in a face-to-face and/or telehealth format. Consulting with and serving as a resource for other professional personnel concerning the need for, evaluation of, and development of psychological services in VATVCBHCS, within scope of expertise, referring to the PCMHI psychologist for guidance and interpretation as appropriate. Academic/teaching/research May be asked to prepare and teach seminars/workshops for VATVCBHCS trainees/staff on topics within interest/competency areas. May choose to conduct approved research that supports the mission of VATVCBHCS alone or in collaboration with other professionals in VATVCBHCS or affiliated academic institutions. Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nThis is a Bargaining Unit position Physical Requirements: light lifting & carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking & standing (1 hour), operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), menta/emotion stability and cognitive stability."]