Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (BHIP)

The LPMHC conducts assessment interviews develops treatment plans and provides treatment to eligible Veterans. Treatment modalities may include crisis intervention intake evaluations outreach services as well as empirically based treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. The LPMHC may refer clients to other programs and professionals as appropriate. The LPMHC also participates in and provides consultation to other team members; participates in conjoint emergency treatment with medical facility mental health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC):

• provides psycho-diagnostic services which requires advanced and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual group and/or family psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with a range of DSM diagnoses substance abuse/dependence and poly-traumatic injuries.
• may have clinical program management responsibilities which include the operation and management of various psychology or mental health programs within the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS).
• may have responsibility for and oversight of the administrative and programmatic resources of various clinical programs that are specialized/complex and significantly impact the delivery of health care service to Veterans in the VATVCBHCS.
• may coordinate programming within the various mental health programs with managers of other programs in mental health as well as with discipline supervisors of affected staff assigned to these programs.
• may manage the work of various clinical programs and their staff ensuring that work is assigned in a systematic way and meets facility and VA guidelines/standards.
• may serve as the representative for Psychology Service on various Psychology Service Mental Health Service Line System or VISN administrative committees or work groups as assigned.
• provides subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in the specialty area rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective practice addition there may be opportunities to teach and mentor staff and students in the specialty area of practice.
• expands clinical knowledge in the profession demonstrating innovation in the creation of new models of psychosocial assessment or intervention to identify and address specialized clinical needs.
• assists in drafting policies procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the specialty population or specialty treatment program as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Telework: Ad/Hoc telework may be offered.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: GS-9: 53954F GS-11: 53955F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Health Profession Trainees 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.

All applicants pending license may be offered a 3 year exception at the GS-9 level to complete pre-license requirements.

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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Education - Masters or doctoral degree in one of the following:

• 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

NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling.

Licensure - Must hold a full current and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor which includes diagnosis and treatment. NOTE: Applicants pending the completion of the licensure requirement may be selected (GS-09 only) and given up to a three-year appointment.

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:

GS-09 LPMHC (Entry Level) Requirements: Along with meeting the basic education requirements for this position you must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

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.
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.

GS-11 LPMHC (Full Performance Level) Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements to qualify for the GS-11 you must have at least one year of post-masters or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) that demonstrates the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

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.
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.
10. Ability to make professional evaluations decisions and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation.
11. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship.
12. 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.
13. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill.
14. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills including evidenced- based practices screening and psychosocial assessment.
15. Ability to use a wide variety of individual group or family counseling interventions.
16. 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.
17. 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.

Preferred Experience:

• VA or DOD
• Work in community
• incorporating outcome measures into treatment
• evidence-based psychotherapies individuals groups couples families
• complex case management
• outpatient gen MH clinics

Reference: 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:

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.