A Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.

Duties

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) in the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program consists of an intensive outpatient program, medication management, individual and group outpatient services, and at times inpatient consultation. The clinician holding this full-time position will provide evaluation and treatment of veterans engaged in the SUD program in Peoria, IL. The clinician will provide evidenced based, recovery-oriented services to veterans with substance use disorders and other co-morbid mental health conditions. The clinician will function as a full member of the substance use disorder program's mental health team, including but not limited to active participation in treatment team meetings as well as engaging with Veterans as appropriate and requested through intake evaluations, individual psychotherapy and psychoeducation/counseling, and psychoeducational groups. Care may be provided in outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings. While most services are provided during a standard tour of duty, the clinician may also provide services for patients on Saturdays and/or evenings. Major Duties: Completes intake evaluations for individuals with substance use disorders and other comorbid health conditions for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions as a member of the Substance Use Disorder Program, including individual counseling and psychoeducation/counseling as well as psychoeducational and/or psychotherapeutic groups. Best practices, clinical practice guidelines, and evidence-based treatment protocols are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions. Serves as case manager for a panel of patients. Attends to a broad range of patient needs that are not fully met directly through the clinical services provided by the SUD Program itself, including but not limited to those needs dealing with physical health, employment, finances, family, social support, and housing. Provides same-day services as needed for Veterans, including referring patients for emergency medical treatment, psychiatric medication evaluation, or non-medical detoxification as well as coordinating the admission of patients to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Assesses patient interest in and eligibility for Medication Assisted Therapies and provides referrals for evaluation for these treatments. Participates in staff meetings and team huddles regarding clinical, administrative, and staff development issues. Ensures that all clinical work is documented accurately and in a timely fashion, consistent with the MHSL and facility expectations and policies. Assures that appropriate referrals to specialty programs, including community resources, are accomplished. This may include referrals to other Mental Health Programs (i.e., Mental Health Clinic, Neuropsychology, PTSD Clinic, Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Compensated Work Therapy, Homeless services, Vocational Rehabilitation). Fully accountable for practice, including entering patient visits, measuring outcomes to interventions, and meeting productivity standards. Participates in the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using data-driven quality assurance processes. Implements process improvement initiatives to promote optimal service delivery. Promotes patient independence and achievement of optimal health through appropriate psychosocial education and community referrals The incumbent may provide services in Community Based Outpatient locations other than their assigned duty station and/or may provide services to these locations over Telehealth, including VA Video Connect and other technology. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday Telework: May be eligible for occasional telework upon supervisor approval. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Education: Must 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. (Transcript Required) Licensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnoses and treatment. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following grade specific requirements must also be met. GS-09 grade level: 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; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 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 grade level: Experience: Must have at least 1 year of post-master's degree or post-doctoral degree mental health counseling experience. The experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current mental health counseling practice. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 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. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced-based practices, screening and psychosocial assessment. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 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. 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: SUD experience preferred References: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor are described in VA Handbook 5005/106 Part II, Appendix G43.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position requires minimal physical exertion, light lifting (under 15 lbs), light carrying (under 15 lbs), working closely with others and working alone. The employee will use a computer to access the medical record for entry and retrieval of information. The employee will need to be able to hear conversational speech. Hearing aid permitted. The employee will be expected to move around the patient care environment.

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.

Contacts

• Address Danville VA Medical Center 1900 East Main Street Danville, IL 61832 US
• Name: Brooke Cremonesi
• Phone: 217-499-7292
• Email: [email protected]