Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

Veterans Health Administration; Shelbyville (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration in Shelbyville, IN seeks a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) to provide counseling in the outpatient Mental Health Clinic, collaborating with the BHIP Team to assess psychosocial problems and connect Veterans with the resources that can minimize stressors.

Applicants pending licensure may be tentatively selected; full licensure requirements must be met before hire.

Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or related field from CACREP-accredited program.
• Full, current license to independently practice as LMHC preferred; licensure may be waived temporarily.
• Experience with intake, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning within a BHIP/VA setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and therapy to Veterans in outpatient Mental Health Clinic.
• Collaborate with BHIP team to evaluate psychosocial problems and facilitate access to resources.
• Maintain clinical documentation and participate in telehealth delivery as needed.

Skills

Intake assessment

DSM knowledge

Counseling interventions

Team collaboration

Telehealth familiarity

Education

CACREP-accredited counseling degree

Tools

EHR software

Telehealth platforms

Job description

The MH Clinic Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (or LMHC) provides counseling and therapy services to Veterans receiving care in the outpatient Mental Health Clinic at the Shelbyville, IN clinic. In collaboration with the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Team, the BHIP LMHC evaluates the Veteran's presenting psychosocial problems and facilitates access to the resources that can most appropriately minimize the Veteran's psychosocial stressors.

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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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.

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. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed 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) Experience, Education, and Licensure. The 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 listed in paragraph 3.b., and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below.

Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-9 LPMHCs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, including co-signatures where required, as they are not functioning at the full performance level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and 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, and strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the life span. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions. 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.

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. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.

GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level, and demonstrate the KSA