Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor; BHIP - EDRP Approved

Overview

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per 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 review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy
• Education:
  
  Hold a master's or doctoral degree in one of the following or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program:
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Related fields (examples include Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, Marital-Couple-Family Counseling)
• Lifelong education: CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program
• Licensure: LPMHC must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (which includes diagnosis and treatment). If licensure is not yet obtained, must be supervised by a VA-licensed practitioner and have access to the EHR
• Exceptions: VHA may waive licensure requirements for qualified individuals pending state prerequisites for licensure (up to full performance level). For grades at or above the full performance level, licensure is required. A written notice will specify the license acquisition deadline and consequences for not obtaining licensure by then, provided prior to the entrance on duty date
• Grandfather Provision:
  Employees in VHA as LPMHC on the effective date are considered to meet all qualification requirements, including required education and licensure/certification/registration
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency:
  Proficient in spoken and written English per VA Handbook 5005
• Grade Determinations (GS-11):
  Post-master’s or post-doctoral experience in mental health counseling may be required, plus licensure at the independent practice level
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Ability to evaluate and plan treatment; advanced counseling process knowledge
  • Ability to provide consultation and supervision as appropriate; crisis intervention skills
  • Independent judgment in treatment planning using evidence-based practices
  • Ability to work with diverse populations and apply DSM criteria in diagnoses
  • Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups
• Preferred Experience:
  
  2 years in a generalist setting; licensed to practice independently with supervisor credential within Texas; experience with Veterans/Military; inter-disciplinary teamwork; time-limited, evidence-based psychotherapy
• Full performance level: GS-11
• Physical requirements:
  
  Sedentary work; occasional movement between offices or travel for meetings

• Major duties include initial assessment and brief psychological treatment for Veterans with SUDs and a range of co-occurring disorders (e.g., anxiety, PTSD, depression)
• Provide evidence-based individual, couples, and group psychotherapy as a member of an interdisciplinary MHC team
• Assigned to the MHC Team at the Austin Outpatient Clinic within the Central Texas VA Healthcare System
• May serve without collateral research obligations or supervisory responsibilities
• Assess psychosocial functioning and needs; formulate and monitor treatment plans with ongoing assessment
• Use measurement-based care where appropriate; maintain documentation and comply with CPRS procedures
• Participate in administrative and informational meetings; attend service meetings and peer review procedures
• May serve as Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) for assigned Veterans
• Work Schedule:
  
  Monday–Friday, 07:30–16:00 or 08:00–16:30; telework available ad-hoc only; not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000;
  Relocation/Recruitment
  
  Incentives:
  
  Not Authorized; EDRP Authorized:
  Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact EDRP Coordinator: VISN
  17ED
  RP2