Mental Health Specialist
Job Location:
Wagner, SD - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is located at the Wagner Service Unit and is under the direct supervision of the Director Mental Health Program. Worker has the responsibility for providing Mental Health services to IHS eligible patients within the Wagner service area. The Service Unit includes an ambulatory clinic ER facilities outpatient department field clinics full range of Public Health programs and a Mental Health Program with responsibilities for providing 24-hour comprehensive mental health services.
- The position involves professional counseling requiring the exercise of mature professional judgement and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical skills in providing mental health services to patients experiencing a variety of psychiatric illnesses and emotional/psychological problems.
- provides therapeutic services based on comprehensive treatment plans that outline the therapeutic goals methods and modality to meet the individualized treatment needs of each patient.
- Develops and manages case management services for the IHS outpatient programs for patients requiring intensive treatment and referral services. Coordinates the referral of patients to non-IHS facilities and health care providers.
- Completes case documentation which meets accepted professional standards utilizing the Electronic Health Records (EHR) according to established policies and procedures.
- Applies advanced knowledge of psychopathology and provides professional therapeutic techniques in conducting comprehensive evaluations of patients with a range of mental health issues. Evaluation will guide appropriate diagnosis as delineated in the standard psychiatric diagnostic classification of emotional and mental disorders with consideration for possible cultural influences/factors.
Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630 requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment the employee will be subject to adverse actions up to and including removal from Federal service.
On-call hours or standby duty may be required.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
Background Investigation Requirement:
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individuals identity employment history education and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.
Upon receipt of instructions applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
Financial Suitability Requirement:
This position requires a review of the applicants financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility maintain good standing with creditors and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.
Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including but not limited to delinquent federal or state tax liabilities defaulted federal student loans court-ordered fines or fees or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).
To qualify for this position your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
General Schedule Qualifications Standards - Social Science Series 0101 ()
BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):
- Degree: Behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
- Combination of education and experiencethat provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR
- Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-101-09:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Provide basic assessment diagnose and treat a range of psychiatric illnesses; identify and assess psychosocial functioning; understand and respond to medical treatment; provide therapeutic intervention to improve wellness; provide intensive case management services to include liaison consultation and teaching relationships to multidisciplinary team; provide referral services and counseling to all age groups. OR
- Completion of 2 years (36 semester hours) of graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters that is directly related to the work of the position. OR
- A combination of education and experience in one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-09 grade level.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR GS-0101-9:
This position requires a current unrestricted U.S. State license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). (Must submit a copy of your license with your application). Your application must include documentation demonstrating that you meet selective placement factor. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not receive further consideration.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-101-11:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Collaborate with other health professionals to assess client needs; refer patients to community resources; provide individual or group counseling; coordinate care with expert diagnostic and treatment consultation to medical providers; assess in-patient needs and patient discharge planning; provide therapy to all age groups utilizing a variety of accepted treatment techniques; develop treatment plans; provide interventions surrounding drug alcohol co-occurring disorders and crisis intervention to potentially life-threatening emergencies.
OR
- Completion of 3 years (54 semester hours) of graduate level education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. that is directly related to the work of the position. OR
- A combination of education and experience in one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-11 grade level.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR GS
This position requires a current unrestricted U.S. State license as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH) or equivalent. (Must submit a copy of your license with your application) Your application must include documentation demonstrating that you meet selective placement factor. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not receive further consideration.
Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: 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 position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps visit the website at:
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. ( Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. Credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
Selectees must comply with IHS Employee Immunization Policy. Exemptions may be available in accordance with agency policy.
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 1-year service agreement will be required.
This position has promotion potential to GS-GS-11 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at managements discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties the continuing need for the higher level duties and Regulatory/Administrative approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.
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.
Required Experience:
IC
