The incumbent serves in a multidisciplinary Outpatient Mental Health Program within the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center and North Eastern Wisconsin Ambulatory Clinics (NEWAC). The duty station is located at the John H. Bradley VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Appleton, WI.

Duties

The mental health counselor in this role serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team (BHIP) and provides a full range of treatment modalities directly to individuals, families, and groups in an outpatient mental health treatment setting. The incumbent also provides consultation; education to Veterans, families, and staff on a wide range of mental disorders and treatment; and may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities. Provides a full range of psycho diagnostics services and uses the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care to the Veteran population within the NEWAC Outpatient MH clinic. The incumbent is responsible for meeting Veteran needs through psychosocial assessment; psychotherapeutic intervention; crisis assessment and management; individual, family, and/or group treatment; and/or psychoeducation and referral. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions emphasizing recovery-oriented and goal-focused care. Such interventions include: evidence-based psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapies, group therapy, individual therapy, family/couples therapy, education about MH illnesses, crisis intervention, referrals and consults as appropriate. Independently conducts psychosocial assessment and develops treatment plans in collaboration with Veteran and the interdisciplinary treatment team. Measures outcomes to treatment interventions and monitors treatments offered for efficacy. Information collected is used in collaborative treatment planning with Veteran. Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services, crisis intervention services, family conferences, and interdisciplinary or BHIP team meetings. Maintains a working knowledge of mental health and medical diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and effects/side effects; and medical terminology. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans, families, and others as needed. Maintains complete, accurate, timely, and confidential medical record documentation of patient information. Participates on local, VISN, and/or National councils, committees, and work groups as designated. Participates in the professional peer review process and all professional and administrative evaluation and continuing education activities. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: 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. (Transcripts Required) Licensure: Candidates must possess 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. This exception only applies to the GS 9 performance level. For grade levels GS 11 and above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Grade Determinations: GS-9 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, and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. 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; 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 and Licensure/Certification: Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-master's or post-doctoral degree mental health counseling experience and licensed to practice at the independent practice level, In addition candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/106, Part II, Appendix G43, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, dated 4/3/2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 9 to 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 Clement J Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center 5000 West National Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53295 US
• Name: Alicia Prindle
• Phone: 414-384-2000 X42030
• Email: [email protected]