Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Summary
The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (locally called the PTSD LPMHC) is a full-time position assigned to PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) - aligned under Behavioral Health and based in the Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (BHOC) in Syracuse - NY or in a Syracuse VAMC Community Based Outpatient Center.

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: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - paragraph 3.g.)
• 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
• 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) Preferred Experience: One year of post-master's experience as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
• Grade Determinations: GS-9 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Entry Level) a) Experience - Education - and Licensure
• The entry level is used for LPMHCs with less than one year of post-master's degree experience or for LPMHCs who are graduates - not yet licensed at the independent practice level.GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience - Education - and Licensure
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must have at least 1 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 1 year of professional mental health counseling experience
• GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience - Education - and Licensure
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must have at least 1 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 1 year of professional mental health counseling experience
• References: VA Handbook 5005/50 - part II - Appendix G43 For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (locally called the PTSD LPMHC) is a full-time position assigned to PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) - aligned under Behavioral Health and based in the Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (BHOC) in Syracuse - NY or in a Syracuse VAMC Community Based Outpatient Center
• The LPMHC is primarily responsible to assess for and diagnose PTSD and other psychological disorders - conduct psychological and psychosocial assessments - and treat PTSD and related disorders through a variety of modalities
• Among the modalities provided are individual - family - and group psychotherapies - including Evidence Based Therapies (EBP's) such as Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Provision of treatment via telemental health is also an important part of the PCT LPMHC's duties
• PCT LPMHC's may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities and may be involved with the LPMHC intern program
• At times - LPMHC's may be asked to engage in outreach activities in their area of operation (e.g
• Fort Drum - the Watertown Vet Center or other agencies that may have regular interactions with Veterans who might be referred to the Watertown PTSD Clinical Program)
• The PCT Social Worker works closely with the PTSD Team and - if based at a CBOC - may also meet regularly with the CBOC Behavioral Health BHIP team
• The PCT LPMHC assesses and diagnosis all psychiatric disorders - particularly PTSD and related disorders such as Substance Abuse and Depression
• They are responsible for treatment planning and implementation - continuum of care - evaluation - and follow-up
• The incumbent has 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
• The LPMHC provides ongoing psychotherapy via individual and group to Veterans diagnosed with PTSD and may provide couples and family therapy as indicated
• They are expected to have 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
• The LPMHC provides EBP's including PE and CPT as indicated to Veterans with PTSD
• Other modalities may include - but are not limited to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Psychodynamic Approaches
• Treatment in the PTSD Clinic is typically time limited with a specific focus on addressing and treating the symptoms of PTSD and associated concerns related to past traumas
• At times the LPMHC may provide preparatory therapy such as DBT
• The LPMHC completes formal assessments for PTSD such as a Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and other forms of Measurement Based Care as appropriate Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases - When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $ may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized This vacancy is a multi-disciplinary announcement
• If you are a Psychologist and are interested in applying - please apply to Vacancy
• If you are a Social Worker and are interested in applying - please apply to Vacancy