Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Developmental)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Augusta, GA is seeking a full-time Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor to support the PCMHI program as a Collaborative Care Manager.

This role delivers evidence-based mental health services within primary care settings, serving on an interdisciplinary team. Responsibilities include intake screenings, diagnostic formulation, treatment planning, and coordination across primary care, MH, and psychiatry, with emphasis on measurement-based care and

Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or related CACREP-accredited field.
• Licensure as Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (or eligible with supervision).
• Knowledge of DSM and evidence-based counseling practices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial psychosocial screenings and gather clinical data for diagnostic clarification.
• Coordinate care between primary care, mental health, and psychiatry teams.
• Provide measurement-based care and follow-up; document in health records per standards.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences and care planning.
• Mentor trainees or less experienced staff as appropriate.

Skills

DSM knowledge and assessment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Measurement-based care

Education

CACREP-accredited program requirement

Tools

Telehealth software

Electronic health records

Job description

Summary

This full-time licensed mental health counselor position functions at the advanced practice - full-performance level within the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. The incumbent serves as a Collaborative Care Manager (CoCM) - supporting delivery of evidence-based - measurement-driven mental health services within primary care settings.

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
• 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
• c
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-9 (Entry Level): Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the basic requirements - the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1
• Ability to engage in intake and assessment - problem identification - diagnosis - treatment planning and implementation - continuum of care - evaluation and follow-up
• 2
• Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application 6 of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices
• 3
• Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive - affective - behavioral or systemic interventions - and strategies that address high risk behaviors - wellness - personal growth - and career development across the life span
• 4
• Ability to use a wide variety of individual - group - or family counseling interventions
• 5
• Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal - interpersonal - and relational functioning of individuals - groups and families and on the counseling approaches - strategies - and techniques that will best help patients function effectively
• 6
• Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents - data management - maintaining accurate - timely and thorough clinical documentation and delivery of services - such as Telehealth
• 7
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA
• 8
• Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes - case laws - ethical codes - and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling
• 9
• Ability to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - with people from varied backgrounds
• Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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: 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 family counseling interventions
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Prefer experience working in interdisciplinary teams - brief evidence-based interventions - and brief/focused assessments
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 9 to 11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  

Duties

• Duties at the GS-9 level include but are not limited to: - Conducts initial psychosocial screenings and gathers clinical data to support diagnostic clarification - under supervision
• - Assist in the coordination of patient care and follow up - under the guidance of licensed clinical staff
• - Supports patient engagement and care management activities through structured follow-up - patient outreach - and data collection
• - Participates in interdisciplinary case conferences - team huddles - and care planning under the supervision of a licensed provider
• - Documents care coordination and clinical updates in the medical record in accordance with local and national standards - with oversight
• - Develop skills in motivational interviewing - patient education - and the delivery of brief evidence-informed interventions - under clinical supervision
• Attends and participates in relevant trainings - supervision sessions - and educational activities to gain proficiency in PCMHI and collaborative care principles
• - Assists in identifying treatment barriers and contributes to care planning under supervision
• - Participates in performance improvement and program evaluation activities as appropriate for developmental level
• - Seeks consultation and supervision in clinical decision making and ethical concerns
• At the GS-11 level - duties include but are not limited to: - Serves as a key point of contact for patients enrolled in the collaborative care model - conducting structured assessments - facilitating measurement-based care - and ensuring follow up and continuity
• - Coordinates care between primary care - mental health - and psychiatry team members - ensuring alignment with clinical recommendations and timely treatment adjustments
• - Reviews and interprets clinical assessments - provider documentation - and psychiatric recommendations to support integrated treatment planning
• - Provides patient education related to mental health conditions - medication adherence - coping strategies - and self management techniques
• Communicates directly with PCPs and psychiatric consultants to relay clinical updates and recommend treatment changes based on measurement-based outcomes
• - Documents all contacts and clinical decisions thoroughly and in compliance with local and national documentation standards
• - Participates in interdisciplinary case reviews - team huddles - and ongoing consultation processes
• -Provides motivational interviewing - patient education - and the delivery of brief evidence-informed interventions
• - Engages in quality improvement initiatives - program evaluation activities - and supports efforts to improve access - coordination - and veteran outcomes within PCMHI
• - May provide consultation and member mentorship to trainees or less experienced staff participating in PCMHI services
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: #60414F - #60415F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized