Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Savannah, GA seeks a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager), GS-13, to lead mental health programs and ensure high-quality care. You will manage program operations, ensure policy compliance, supervise staff, and report outcomes to leadership.

The role requires CACREP-accredited education, current independent licensure, and strong data-driven management skills. This is a federally governed, full-time position in a VA facility.

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral degree in CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling or related field.
• Full, current license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor.
• English language proficiency for official duties.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of multiple programs and ensure policy adherence.
• Develop and implement program policies and procedures.
• Supervise staff and coordinate program activities.
• Prepare reports and statistics for facility and leadership.
• Monitor outcomes using data-driven quality assurance processes.

Skills

Judgment & decision making

Data-driven QA

Productivity standards

Program management

Education

CACREP-accredited degree

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager), GS-13

Experience, Education and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. The experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

Assignments:

LPMHCs manage the daily operations of multiple programs, develop and implement program policies and procedures, or serve as chief or principal counselor to a number of LPHMCs. They are responsible for oversight of administrative and programmatic resources and monitoring of outcomes. They prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national leadership. Decisions may affect staff and other resources associated with the programs managed and are made while exercising wide latitude and independent judgment. They may be responsible for the program's budget. They may also supervise employees assigned to the program.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• Ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management.
• Ability to monitor program outcomes using data driven quality assurance process.
• Ability to develop productivity standards appropriate to each service provided.
• Ability to manage a wide range of programs which include the operation and management of key clinical, training or administrative programs.

Reference:

VA Qualifications Standards

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements:

The work does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodation. A pre-placement exam is not required.