Career Center

The LPMHC position is located at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. The LPMHC provides direct Mental Health treatment including individual therapy, group therapy, intake assessments, and additional duties as assigned. Certifications in evidenced based practices for treatment of SUD and/or PTSD preferred. 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: Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling; and Marriage and Family Therapy. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0101 series at the GS-11 grade in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnosis and treatment. You may be hired at a lower grade, GS-09, without holding a full, current, and unrestricted license. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations: GS-9 (Entry Level) 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations 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. Assignments. This is the full performance grade level for LPMHCs. At this level they are licensed to independently practice professional counseling and to provide mental health services within the knowledge, theory, and training foundations of professional counseling. LPMHCs may be assigned to any VHA area, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. LPMHCs may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/106, Part II, Appendix G43 dated April 3, 2018. 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: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. Preferred Experience: Experience with treating SUD and PTSD Experience with delivering Mental Health services, to include brief assessments and short term, solution focused therapy. Experience & Interest in treating SUD & PTSD ["The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor provides clinical services, as assigned within the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program at Coatesville VAMC and exercises full professional responsibility to provide effective services to veterans with a variety of mental health disorders or substance use disorders. 1. Provides a full range of psychological assessment services and diagnoses mental, behavioral health and substance use disorders.\n2. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others.\n3. Provides evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation. Some therapy might be provided virtually to patients from the the office, as requested.\n4. Provides consultation to professional staff and to community providers concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients with substance use disorders, as appropriate.\n5. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for patients receiving services within the RRTP - Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program or Acute Inpatient Psychiatry Unit or Substance Use Disorders Outpatient Clinic\n6. Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.\n7. Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team.\n8. Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services.\n9. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients.\n10. Complies with all CPRS/ medical record documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes).\n11. Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by Chief of Domiciliary ( or designee ), MHS ACOS ( or designee ), Chief of Psychology ( or designee ), Chief of Staff ( or designee) and facility Director. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30 pm, all positions may require extended hours, to include evening and weekend hours.\nTelework: Telework available on ad-hoc basis to assist in maintaining operations as needed due to pandemic\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor/PD000000 and PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required ** Multiple Positions available for the LPMHC at the Coatesville VA Medical Center - some may be telework eligible - will be discussed during interview."]