Serves as Deputy Chief, Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) and has programmatic responsibilities for the delivery of mental health services at all sites of care. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the MHSL for all clinical, administrative, and quality performance matters. The incumbent assists the Chief with management of the MHSL including assessing program needs, allocating resources effectively and efficiently while monitoring their use and working with program managers.

Duties

Duties to include but not limited to: Provides support to the Chief, MHSL in all areas of management, leadership and oversight of mental health clinical, educational, and research activities at the Atlanta VAMC. Key member of the organization's clinical leadership team and reports directly to the MHSL Chief. This person ensures observance of federal, national, and local regulatory policy and accreditation requirements governing the medical center. Responsible for supporting strategic planning, budget oversight, staff recruitment and management, and quality assurance. Responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing, coordinating, and refining a comprehensive patient management/clinical support/administrative program which provides services and technical counsel necessary to meet clinical, procedural, legal and administrative requirements relating to the care and treatment of inpatients and outpatients. I Provides a climate in which clinicians can care for patients with an awareness of administrative implications of his/her actions, without feeling he/she is working under unnecessary constraints. Expertise along broad clinical and administrative levels is required to meet the needs of this large, complex patient population, and to integrate Service Line functions with those of other Service Lines, as well as with other VA entities within and outside the local Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN). Manages multiple programs from the Service Line level (see MHSL org chart) Responsible for managing issues elevated to service line, monitoring metrics relevant to these units (including productivity, budget, accreditation issues, etc.) and providing management support and oversight as needed. Contribute to implementing VA Central Office, VISN, and local policies and regulations governing broad administrative aspects of the medical center. Serves on a variety of medical center planning committees, advisory groups and chartered action teams. Oversees clinical and administrative performance measures. Assists with service line strategic planning, budget and resource management. Assist with developing formal, systematic improvement plans for quality measures, access and medical services delivery. Oversees the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements using programs using data-driven quality assurance processes. Oversees the management of Veteran complaints and issues. Contributes to the development of program goals and objectives to meet VHA Mental Health requirements. Participates in performance appraisals of staff, and addresses disciplinary issues. Assists in overseeing appropriate training related to MH issues is completed for all Atlanta VAMC staff involved in patient care activities. Contributes to the development of Mental Health Service policies and procedures consistent with VA Directives, as well as VA required accreditation by the Joint Commission, CARF and other MH accrediting organizations. Supervises multiple programs within the (see MHSL Org Chart). Has direct administrative and professional supervisory responsibility for multiple staff assigned to the MHSL (see MHSL Org Chart). Regularly serves as Acting Chief of the MHSL as needed Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm 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. 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-0183 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. NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. 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: GS-13: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Program Manager Experience, Education and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills, judgment, and competency. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management. 2. Ability to monitor program outcomes using data driven quality assurance process. 3. Ability to develop productivity standards appropriate to each service provided. 4. Ability to manage a wide range of programs which include the operation and management of key clinical, training or administrative programs References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/106 PART II APPENDIX G43 Physical Requirements: The applicant must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others.

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 Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Christie Lowery
• Phone: 205-554-2000
• Email: [email protected]