Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program
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Job Location:
Williston, ND - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 61722 - 97087
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Summary
The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for a full-time Mental Health Counselor for the Mental Health Integrated Care Community Service Line. This vacancy will be filled with either a Social Worker Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor or a Staff Psychologist.
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care you will operate in a model with three core elements seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veterans community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor Americas Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
The incumbent provides clinical case management services to the Veteran population enrolled at the Fargo VA Medical Center. Services include provision of high quality case management advocacy and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers and agencies as needed by the client. This work typically requires extensive coordination of services with a wide range of Veterans and through the VA Health Care system and is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program team members or specialty mental health interdisciplinary treatment teams as appropriate.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Identification - Veterans are identified for the potential need for case management through self-referral referral from family/ caregivers referral through BHIP or community partners.
Crisis Intervention - As needed the Counselor makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans to meet Veteran needs in the least restrictive setting; in the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency Counselor will follow the protocol of the Medical Center.
Screening and Assessment Screening - Counselor will screen all referred Veterans for clinical eligibility for case management services using standardized level of care coordination tools in order to ensure consistency of screening and subsequent services.
Comprehensive Assessment - The Counselor will complete an assessment of the veterans family economic community and psychosocial support systems when clinically indicated; assessments must reflect a high level of skill in gathering analyzing interpreting and documenting data that is pertinent and directly related to patient health care planning treatment education and case management; Veterans family members significant others and the interdisciplinary treatment team are involved in this process whenever possible; goal of the communication is to highlight the veterans strengths limitations and internal/ external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veterans functional status and safely maintain the veteran in his/her home.
Mental Health Diagnosing using DSM-5 and I CD-10 Codes - Counselor demonstrates knowledge in DSM-5 diagnosing and documents diagnostic impressions in psychosocial assessments when appropriate; Counselor may function independently or within a team to determine an appropriate diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan based on that diagnosis.
Need Identification - Key concerns needs and preferences of Veteran family/ caregiver is identified; Counselor assigns initial level of care coordination and further stratifies Veterans receiving complex care coordination into tiers or levels per the type of case management interventions and frequency of contacts.
Problem Solving and Goal Identification - Counselor initiates problem-solving strategies during which Veteran and family/caregivers desired or expected goal(s) and outcome(s) are recognized organized and prioritized through a brokered process between the Veteran family or caregiver and Counselor; ensures goals and objectives are formulated using specific measurable action-oriented realistic and timebound (SMART) tenants.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Telework: Available (Ad-hoc)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not available.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
- 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.
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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be licensed.
- 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.
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-9 (Entry Level)
Experience Education and Licensure. The GS-9 grade level is the entry grade level for LPMHCs with less than one year of experience(post-masters degree) or for LPMHCs at the masters 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 listed in paragraph 3.b. and are working toward completion of prerequisites for addition the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below.
Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
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 (Full Performance Level)
Experience Education and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements candidates must have at least one year of post-masters or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee. Some state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. Please refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision.
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:
1. Ability to make professional evaluations decisions and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation.
2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship.
3. 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.
4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill.
5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills including evidenced- based practices screening and psychosocial assessment.
6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual group or family counseling interventions.
7. 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.
8. 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.
All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package.
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 a range of GS-9 to GS-11.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.
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
This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Qualified applications will be referred every two weeks from the opening date of this announcement until the closing date or until the position is filled whichever is sooner.
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.
Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. All other applicants.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Key Skills
- Facilities Management
- Copy Editing
- Cloud Services
- Electronics
- Interpretation
- Accident Investigation
