Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Basics

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

• Independently performs focused, functional biopsychosocial assessments for Veterans in primary care.
• Provides brief, evidence-based interventions for common PCMHI conditions (depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, health behavior change, etc.).
• Uses measurement-based care for assessment, monitoring, and treatment decisions.
• Manages warm handoffs and provides same-day brief interventions.
• Works closely with Primary Care Providers, nurses, and team members for shared treatment planning and coordinated care.
• Provides real-time behavioral health consultation to primary care staff.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team huddles, case conferences, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Facilitates timely referrals to specialty mental health programs.
• Provides brief follow-up or bridge care to ensure continuity.
• Captures timely and accurate documentation following VA, Joint Commission, and CARF standards.
• Adheres to national PCMHI standards, guidelines, and measurement-based care requirements.
• Participates in PCMHI program development, quality improvement, and data monitoring activities.
• Contributes to training and education for primary care and mental health staff.
• Maintains professional competencies and ongoing continuing education.

Qualifications

• BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Must be a citizen of the United States. 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 CACREP-accredited program. Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor.

Additional Information

• English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j.
• Grade Determinations: Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-12 requires at least one year of progressively complex LPMHC experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and five years of post-licensed experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and judgment.
• Assignments: Senior LPMHCs provide treatment to patients with complex needs, provide clinical consultation, provide clinical supervision, develop behavioral health related training curriculum, and engage in written and oral communication with leadership/staff and community stakeholders.
• Preferred Experience: Prefer experience working within interdisciplinary teams, brief evidence-based interventions, and brief/focused assessments.