This position is located at the Auburn VA Clinic, in Auburn, NY. The primary responsibilities for the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (BHIP) involve providing psychotherapy to individuals couples and groups, conducting psychosocial and mental health assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy and facilitating referrals to other appropriate VA or community service providers/ agencies whenever necessary for the Veterans' well-being.

Duties

The following specific clinical duties will be provided by the BHIP Therapist: The incumbent is responsible for providing individual, couple, and group psychotherapeutic treatment to address mental health symptoms and emotional health issues with a goal to alleviate symptoms, increase self-awareness/ self-governance of symptoms, to promote recovery and well-being for the client. The incumbent will: - Collaborate with the Veteran and their significant others to determine the best course of action in all mental health treatment modalities. - Develop a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, and their natural supports that considers the range of mental health treatments available and sensitivity to the unique, individual needs of the Veteran. - Have working knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses. The incumbent will possess a solid understanding of medical terminology to effectively communicate with other healthcare professionals. - Familiarity with treatment procedures for the range of acute through chronic psychiatric illnesses, as well as common medications their effects and side effects. - Expertise in evidence-based treatment methods, some but not all may include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE). - Actively contribute to the development of the Veteran's treatment plan and set achievable goals in collaboration with the Veteran, their significant others, and other clinical staff. - Experience in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for potential admission to psychiatric hospitalization or mental health residential program. - Collaborate with other service providers to reassess the Veteran's needs on an ongoing basis and provide appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference with incorporation of their surrogate decision-maker when necessary. - Facilitate discharge planning by working alongside the interdisciplinary treatment team to ensure a smooth transition for the Veteran. This requires effective communication and coordination to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner. - Possess excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, and ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. - Documenting clinical treatment inventions and activities in the patient electronic clinical record clinical record is essential. Review progress notes from other providers to accurately assess the Veteran's strengths and limitations to ensure comprehensive care. - Provide Consultation services regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on healthcare and treatment adherence. - Coordinate treatment and communicate with other services to facilitate comprehensive care for Veterans. Including the provision of continuity of care during transfer to a lower or higher level of care. - Have general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension is crucial, as it enables the incumbent to make appropriate referrals based on Veterans' needs and eligibility. - Perform any other duties assigned, adaptable to the changing needs of the organization and the Veterans served. - Evaluate own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means. Other Significant Responsibilities - The LPMHC participates in committee assignments, discipline specific meetings and initiatives, as deemed necessary by the service manager. - May provide supervision to a LPMHC Intern or be generally involved with the mental health counseling training program. - The incumbent is expected to participate in professional activities with his/her respective discipline and when needed. Work Schedule: 8AM-4:30PM, M-F Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Note: This position may be filled by a Psychologist, Social Worker or Licensed Mental Health Professional (LPMHC). These three positions are advertised separately on USAJobs. If you are interested in any position, please apply to the respective job announcement.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) Education Requirement - You must have a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 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. 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: Candidates must possess 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 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) performing duties such as: engaging in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up; using a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; providing professional mental health counseling services; and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 5005/113, Part II, Appendix G62 Dated 7/21/2020. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Valerie Rarick
• Phone: 315-425-4400 X56571
• Email: [email protected]