Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (BHIP)

About the role

The principal role of the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is to provide psychotherapy services for veterans receiving care in the Behavioral Health Service (BHS) General Mental Health (GMH), as part of a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Home Team which utilizes elements of recovery.

Responsibilities

• Provide a variety of direct psychological treatment services addressing the complex psychosocial issues faced by the Veteran patients served in an outpatient mental health setting. These direct services include, but are not limited to intake assessment, treatment plan development and implementation, treatment interventions (such as individual, family, couple, or small group therapy, trauma therapy, crisis intervention, case management, education, advocacy), shared decision-making and support group development and leadership.
• Provide a variety of assessment, psychotherapeutic, and training services within outpatient GMH.
• Assists Veterans in crisis, in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Team, Mental Health Clinic, other BHS programs, Emergency Department, and others. Facilitates referrals for patients in crisis, when indicated.
• Maintain a caseload of patients and, as patients progress through episodes of care, engage in shared decision-making to graduate the patient to more independent functioning.
• Serve as an active member of a BHIP treatment team that develops, implements, evaluates, and updates individualized treatment plans for identified Veterans seeking care through various BHS outpatient programs.
• Provide occasional coverage for other areas of activity within BHS or coverage while other staff is on leave.
• Record clinical information in the patient's medical record according to prescribed standards. Collect and maintain required statistical information.
• Participate on a variety of service and facility committees, task groups, or special projects groups as assigned by Supervisor or BHS Chief.
• May provide training opportunities and either direct or indirect supervision of graduate Social Work or Mental Health Counselor students or other related human services students as directed by the Supervisor or BHS Chief.
• Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses Oracle Cerner Millennium Powerchart and Joint Longitudinal Viewer, the Electronic Medical Record, to access patient information, document clinical and administrative actions, and communicate with both Veterans and their healthcare team members.
• Maintain tracking system for special projects, and ongoing data requirements.
• Attend appropriate educational programs, seminars, etc. Participation in an evidence-based psychotherapy training sponsored by the VA will be expected, as will completion of the consultation requirements.
• As assigned, the incumbent accepts additional and special assignments aligned with program, service, and agency goals.

Requirements

• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
• Compressed/Flexible: May be available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Qualifications

• 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 and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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.