Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (PTSD)

VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (locally called the PTSD LPMHC) is a full-time position assigned to PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) aligned under Behavioral Health and based in the Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (BHOC) in Syracuse NY or in a Syracuse VAMC Community Based Outpatient Center.

The LPMHC is primarily responsible to assess for and diagnose PTSD and other psychological disorders conduct psychological and psychosocial assessments and treat PTSD and related disorders through a variety of modalities. Among the modalities provided are individual family and group psychotherapies including Evidence Based Therapies (EBPs) such as Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Provision of treatment via telemental health is also an important part of the PCT LPMHCs duties. PCT LPMHCs may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities and may be involved with the LPMHC intern program. At times LPMHCs may be asked to engage in outreach activities in their area of operation. The PCT Social Worker works closely with the PTSD Team and if based at a CBOC may also meet regularly with the CBOC Behavioral Health BHIP team.

• The PCT LPMHC assesses and diagnosis all psychiatric disorders particularly PTSD and related disorders such as Substance Abuse and Depression.
• They are responsible for treatment planning and implementation continuum of care evaluation and follow-up.
• The incumbent has 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.
• The LPMHC provides ongoing psychotherapy via individual and group to Veterans diagnosed with PTSD and may provide couples and family therapy as indicated.
• They are expected to have 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.
• The LPMHC provides EBPs including PE and CPT as indicated to Veterans with PTSD. Other modalities may include but are not limited to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Psychodynamic Approaches.
• Treatment in the PTSD Clinic is typically time limited with a specific focus on addressing and treating the symptoms of PTSD and associated concerns related to past traumas.
• At times the LPMHC may provide preparatory therapy such as DBT.
• The LPMHC completes formal assessments for PTSD such as a Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and other forms of Measurement Based Care as appropriate

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II Chapter 3 Section A paragraph 3.g.).
• Education: Hold a masters 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 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 the GS-0183 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.
  • NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
  
  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).
  
  Preferred Experience: One year of post-masters experience as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor. Preferred candidate will have experience with EBP specific to PTSD (CPT EMDR PE etc).
  
  Grade Determinations: GS-9 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Entry Level) a) Experience Education and Licensure. The entry level is used for LPMHCs with less than one year of post-masters degree experience or for LPMHCs who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice -11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience Education and addition to the basic requirements candidates must have at least 1 year of post-masters degree mental health counseling experience; OR In addition to the basic requirements a doctoral degree in mental health counseling or a related field may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional mental health counseling experience.
  
  GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience Education and addition to the basic requirements candidates must have at least 1 year of post-masters degree mental health counseling experience; OR In addition to the basic requirements a doctoral degree in mental health counseling or a related field may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional mental health counseling experience.
  
  References: VA Handbook 5005/50 part II Appendix G43 For more information on this qualification standard please visit 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-09- to GS-11.
  
  Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary.

  Education

  Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit:

  Additional information

  Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
  
  During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
  
  This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
  
  This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
  
  VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
  
  If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
  
  Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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