There are multiple Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor opportunities within the Mental Health Service at the Dayton VA Medical Center. Tour of Duty and hours will be discussed during time of interviews. First Consideration will be given to Facility employees located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. 2nd Consideration will be given to Agency employees. 3rd Consideration will be given to Other T38 Hybrid Employees in the Excepted Service.

Duties

DUTIES: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Substance Use Disorder Program (GS-11): This incumbent functions as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment programs located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The position requires extensive work with veterans diagnosed with substance use disorders. The SUD population of veterans may receive a variety of therapeutic services such as medication assisted therapy, addiction education, evidenced based psychoeducation, psychotherapy, group therapy, and case management and service coordination. The incumbent will be primarily tasked to provide group and individual treatment in the residential SUD program and may be asked to provide coverage for the outpatient SUD program and/or the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program . Various schedules are available and typically include 1 weekend day and/or end of day between 6-8pm with potential to move to weekday only and early hours as they become available. Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (GS 9-11): This incumbent functions as a Licensed Social Worker in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The position requires extensive work with MH RRTP Veterans diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders as well as those who are homeless. The position requires extensive work with MH RRTP Veterans diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders as well as those who are homeless. The substance use and mental health population of Veterans will receive a variety of therapeutic services such as medication assisted therapy, addiction education, evidenced based psycho-education, psychotherapy, group therapy, case management, discharge planning, and service coordination. Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Mental Health Clinic (GS-11): The incumbent functions as a Licensed Practical Mental Health Counselor in the Mental Health Clinic located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The position requires a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans with a wide range of mental health diagnoses and conditions. Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups. Independently conducts bio-psychosocial assessments. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team. Possesses the skills needed to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. Able to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Participates in scheduling, triaging, monitoring the flow of MH patients in the Mental Health Clinic. Recognizes emergency situations, summons appropriate help, and responds appropriately including assistance with crisis intervention services including admissions to acute psychiatric care, provision of case management services and liaison to family members. Has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families. Incumbent is able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills. Contributes to interdisciplinary care planning conferences, and team huddles/meetings. Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Clinical) - Trauma Recovery Clinic (PTSD) (GS-11): The incumbent is located within the Mental Health Service with primary assignment to the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinical Team Programs at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The PTSD Clinical Team provides comprehensive and intensive residential and outpatient services to patients with PTSD and other related mental health needs. The incumbent provides clinical services including, but not limited to, assessment, individual and group therapy, psychoeducation, and case management services to veterans in the PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma Programs at the Dayton VAMC. This PCT has high evidence based psychotherapy reach and embodies a team based care approach to serving Veterans. The Dayton VA PCT Mission is "To empower Veterans by providing well-researched, evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other trauma-related disorders that promote awareness, wellness, and recovery from the harmful impact of trauma.

Requirements

Qualifications

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-0101 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. Exception: VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j. Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-9 (Entry Level) (a) 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 listed in paragraph 3.b., and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below. (b) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-9 LPMHCs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, including co-signatures where required, as they are not functioning at the full performance level. They are typically assigned to VHA areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Since they are not practicing at an independent level, they should not be assigned to areas where independent practice is required, such as in a CBOC, unless there is a licensed LPMHC in the area who can provide supervision for practice. Under supervision, LPMHCs at this level provide professional mental health counseling services. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee. Some state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. Please refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. 2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 3. 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. 4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. 5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment. 6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 7. 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. 8. 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. 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).

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

References: VA Handbook 5005/106, Part II Appendix G43

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Contacts

• Address Dayton VA Medical Center 4100 West Third Street Dayton, OH 45428 US
• Name: Suzannah Haley
• Phone: 614-388-7886
• Email: [email protected]