Qualifications

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until 06/11/2025 or until filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be 12/28/2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. ***Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & 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 & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
• or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• 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 VHA must hold a full, current, & unrestricted license to independently practice as a LPMHC which includes diagnosis & treatment
• Exception
• VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure
• Grandfather Provision
• All persons employed in VHA in as LPMHC on the effective date of this qualification standard (4/3/2018) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education & licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• Grade Determinations
• LPMHC GS-9 (Entry Level)Experience, Education, & Licensure
• The GS-9 grade level for LPMHCs with less than 1 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, & are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure
• Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-9 LPMHCs are typically assigned to VHA areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience
• Under supervision, LPMHCs at this level provide professional mental health counseling services
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to engage in intake & assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning & implementation, continuum of care, evaluation & follow-up
• Knowledge of current Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices
• Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, & strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, & career development across the life span
• Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions
• demonstrates sensitivity to diversity & possesses multicultural counseling skills
• Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, & relational functioning of individuals, groups & families & on the counseling approaches, strategies, & techniques that will best help patients function effectively
• Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely & thorough clinical documentation & delivery of services, such as Telehealth
• Ability to learn & utilize software programs in use by VHA
• Knowledge & understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, regulations affecting professional practice of counseling
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally & in writing, with people from varied backgrounds
• LPMHC , GS-11 (Full Performance Level)Experience, Education, & Licensure
• In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 1 year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) & must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level
• LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee
• Assignments
• At this level they are licensed to independently practice professional counseling & to provide mental health services within the knowledge, theory, & training foundations of professional counseling
• LPMHCs may be assigned to any VHA area, consulting with peers & supervisors as appropriate
• LPMHCs may be involved in program evaluation &/or research activities
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, & recommendation for treatment planning & implementation
• Advanced knowledge & mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems & maintaining an effective counseling relationship
• Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues & trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings & discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases & confer about the counseling perspectives & orientation
• Ability to provide complex crisis intervention & stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress
• Requires independent judgment & skill
• Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, & psychosocial assessment
• Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions
• demonstrates sensitivity to diversity & possesses multicultural counseling skills
• Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses & formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices
• Ability to develop & facilitate psychotherapy & psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, & community integration
• This may include evidence based psychotherapy
• Preferred Experience: VA Experience Preferred
• Understanding of Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) within the VA
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Must be physically & mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• Normal work of the position requires visual acuity, keen hearing (aid permitted), clear distinctive speech, & manual dexterity
• Potentially requires moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds)
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.