Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (RRTP)

Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Walla Walla
Posted on: June 22, 2022

Job Description:

Summary The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) will provide direct Mental Health care/case management services to the seriously mentally ill (SMI), dually diagnosed, chemically dependent and to those with other mental health issues in the Veteran population seen at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VAMC Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP). Responsibilities This position serves as a resource to other members of the Mental Health multi-disciplinary team and other health care providers within the Medical Center. The LPMHC will assist in discharge planning, treatment plan development and delivery of education, referral and individual, family and group therapy to the Veterans within the MH RRTP. Duties will include: Screens Veterans for the MH RRTP. The LMHC provides input to MH RRTP staff regarding Veterans' treatment and discharge needs. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for Veterans including geriatric residents related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. Has a working knowledge of the impact of chemical dependency on all stages of a Veterans life. Interview Veterans and assist in developing a psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. Creates a psychosocial database, history, psychosocial assessment, and diagnosis for each assigned Veteran. It is the responsibility of the LMHC, working with in the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment and /or discharge plan with assigned Veterans. Formulates a mutually agreed upon treatment plan, which includes measurable goals, objectives and interventions based upon the Veteran's choice and participation. The treatment plan will be used to direct a course of treatment. Collaborates with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs. Educates the Veteran and /or family of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference for his/her discharge plan. Assist the veteran to initiate creative solutions to reoccurring problems, such as a loss of resources. Utilizes current resources of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans. Acts as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. The LMHC will educate and encourage the Veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Makes rapid assessments for admission to mental health residential programs. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, incumbent will follow the protocol of the MH RRTP. Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living will and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Reviews to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran being referred to MH RRTP services. The LMHC will educate the Veteran, their families, and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the Veteran/family on preferred option. Provides the Veterans and their family, significant other, and/or caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling, therapy, and group therapy. Enters all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats, templates, and timeframes. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Performs social work type and other duties as needed. Collaborates in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. Participates in activities that obtain feedback from Veterans and work to enhance services as needed. The GS-11 LPMHC provides clinical supervision for social service graduate students, under the direction of the supervisor. - Performs other related duties as assigned that may include program coordination. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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-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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor: 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 KSAs in subparagraph (c) 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. Please provide copy of licensure and Transcript. 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 students 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 deliver psycho-education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G43, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting/carrying (under 15lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required; ability to see computer screen; hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability; working closely with others, and working alone. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Spokane , Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (RRTP), Healthcare , Walla Walla, Washington