Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (MHC) Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team-based care provides Veteran-centered, recovery-oriented, and evidence-based care. The incumbent in this position functions as a Care Coordinator for Veterans on a BHIP team and is responsible for coordination and continuity of care for Veterans receiving services throughout Behavioral Health.

Duties

The candidate is a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) assigned to a BHIP team under Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine Service under the supervision of the Chief of Psychology. Provides care coordination services (including but not limited to biopsychosocial assessment, walk-in/crisis services, education, provision of self-management resources) and other clinical tasks as needed for Veterans receiving services in BHIP. Care coordination (including care management and/or case management) includes determining and monitoring care coordination needs over time, providing care coordination, and facilitating follow-up and outreach as needed to promote proactive, personalized care and care continuity. Responsible for following national guidance, local policy and SOPs for the MHS. This includes following policies and documentation requirements as required for CARF and The Joint Commission accreditation as well as other internal and external requirements. Actively participates in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with care coordination needs and caseloads and identifying the need for making recommendations on program procedures and/or policy changes based upon work experiences. Takes responsibility for improving professional skills, participating in planning, and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested. In the primary provision of care coordination (and direct clinical care as needed) in patients from the adult (less than 65 years of age) to the geriatric (greater than 65 years of age), the employee recognizes age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. In the performance of official duties, the incumbent has regular access to the printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under provision of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal Regulations, and VA statutes and policy. Is responsible for protecting data from unauthorized release of access codes, etc., as stated in the computer access agreement which the incumbent signs. The incumbent is responsible for completing the following duties/responsibilities: a. Provides a full range of services within commonly accepted standards of practice and prioritizes care coordination activities as the primary job function [e.g., needs assessment, chart reviews, care, or case management (as needed), discharge planning, outreach, etc.] and other services as appropriate. b. Provides care coordination (including care management or case management) to Veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care. This includes communication within and across care lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans. c. Conducts biopsychosocial assessments to determine care coordination and treatment needs of Veterans d. Provides consultation/education to Veterans and families on VA resources (including self-management tools), community resources, Advance Directives and VA benefits. e. Will be an active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines. f. Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate to promote care continuity. g. Acts as a clinical resource/point-of-contact to Veterans and other team/staff members. h. Acts as liaison between VA and community resources, to include education and bidirectional communication that promotes seamless care. i. Though not a core function of this position, there may be times when the incumbent may provide individual, family and group counseling as appropriate. j. Provides wellness/prevention education and may facilitate patient/family educational/bridging supportive sessions as appropriate. k. Documents interventions and activities in patient's electronic health record and ensure appropriate hand-off communication and documentation when transferring patient care. l. Maintains familiarity and share responsibility with other team members for performance measures relevant to the BHIP team. m. Performs other BHIP-related duties as directed by the Supervisor, such as, but not limited to: training/mentoring and oversight of new staff & those not yet clinically licensed, and preparing for and training staff on CARF & The Joint Commission standards and accreditation process. n. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the Service Chief. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm, Rotating Weekends and Holidays Telework: Available for highly qualified candidates Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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; and Marriage and Family Therapy. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-101 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnosis and treatment. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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)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 below. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. 8. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. 9. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level) In addition to the basic requirements for Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's degree mental health counseling experience; OR In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in mental health counseling, or a related field may be substituted for the required one year of professional mental health counseling experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-43, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-9 or GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting.

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.

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

Contacts

• Address Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Boulevard Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 US
• Name: Amanda Griffin-Fikes
• Phone: 216-791-2300 X42198
• Email: [email protected]