The Licensed Professional Counselor practices in the VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (VAECHCS). This position is assigned to the outpatient mental health clinic at VAECHCS. The incumbent participates as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and provides comprehensive assessments; individual, couples, and group treatment (psycho- educational and psychotherapeutic) of a broad spectrum of mental health disorders. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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. 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. 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: LPMHC GS-9: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. 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. 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. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 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. 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. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Grade Determinations: LPMHC GS-11: 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. 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: Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 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. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 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. 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. 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: Able to meet the physical demands for the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have a good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken or written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. ["Positions are available on the LGBTQ+, Psychosocial Rehab (PSR), and Women's specialty-emphasis BHIP teams. The LGBTQ+ BHIP Specialty Emphasis Team was created to help address health disparities among our LGBTQ+ Veterans. This is a dynamic and engaging team dedicated to improving access to care in a competent and welcoming environment. The Psychosocial Rehabilitation BHIP Specialty Emphasis Team is an interprofessional team that is dedicated to providing quality care for our Veterans with Serious Mental Illness. The team also works with our Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center to provide a continuum of care for our Veterans. And the Women's BHIP Specialty Team are here to provide services unique to our Women Veteran population. The team monitors and coordinates mental health treatment and serve as champions and advocates of women who served. Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Incumbent provides educational, facilitative, and therapeutic leadership with veterans' group and individual therapy treatments within the Mental Health Clinic at VAECHCS. Incumbent, being trained and experienced in the interviewing and assessment of mental health conditions, will perform initial and follow-up evaluations, treatment planning and individual and group evidenced based psychotherapies. Familiarity with veterans' issues to include PTSD is strongly desired. Incumbent, being trained and experienced in crisis management, also provides emergency care, as needed, for all patients enrolled in the CBOC, including referring patients for emergency primary care treatment, psychiatric medication evaluation, or coordinating the admission of patients to the inpatient psychiatric unit of the Denver VA Medical Center or other VA facilities or local non-VA facilities. Incumbent trained and experienced in the treatment of patients who suffer from mental disorders, either alone, or in combination with other medical conditions, provides a range of treatment services, including but not limited to individual, couples and group treatment. Group treatment includes psychoeducational as well as psychotherapeutic groups He or she uses evidence-based treatment methods whenever possible. Incumbent actively participates in staff meetings regarding clinical. administrative, and staff development issues. Incumbent maintains up-to-date charting in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), documenting all assessment, treatment, and case management contacts with patients. Incumbent actively participates in program planning and development, making recommendations for changes in policies and procedures as needs and opportunities arise. Incumbent takes responsibility for improving the skills of other professionals in the CBOC participating in the planning and executing of specific staff-development projects, attending seminars and other training events, and participating in the training programs of other disciplines (psychology, psychiatry nursing and social work and addiction counseling) as requested. General knowledge of veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation. and non-service-connected pension is required. He/ She facilitates referrals based upon veteran's needs and eligibility. incumbent practices independently, with consultation as needed. The incumbent exercises initiative and independent judgment in day-to-day activities. Incumbent initiates consultation concerning unfamiliar or complex administrative and clinical issues. The incumbent is supervised directly by the Mental Health Team Leader in the outpatient mental health clinic. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54109-O/54110 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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