Career Center

The Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (HUD-VASH) in this position functions as the Case Manager for Mann-Grandstaff VAMC's Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers assigned to rural and remote areas in the Northeast Washington Corridor. The incumbent has experience that demonstrates possession of advanced independent practice skills and judgment as much of the work is complete rurally with little day-to-day supervision. 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: A. 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 chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). B. Education. Hold a master's 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). C. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part 11, 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: Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-12 Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex LPMHC experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior LPMHCs must have five years of post-licensed experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise and be licensed to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. 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: Advanced knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex mental illness. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of veteran patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Ability to determine priority of services needed and provide specialized treatment. Advanced and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities for Veterans with complex needs. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling, or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial, and/or case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans; Ability to coordinate the delivery of specialized psychosocial services and programs. Ability to design system changes based on data. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the psychosocial treatment of patients, rendering professional opinions based on experience, expertise and role modeling effective clinical skills. Ability to teach, mentor staff and trainees, and provide supervision for licensure or for specialty certifications. Ability to engage in written and oral communication with leadership/staff and community stakeholders regarding policies, procedures, practice guidelines, and issues pertaining to the practice of the profession. References: VA Handbook 5005/106, Part II, Appendix G43 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. ["The Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (HUD-VASH) works independently in a rural and remote environment as the \"systems expert\", providing intensive case management services that focus on areas of readjustment and re-entry counseling, housing, mental health problems, psychosocial needs, barriers to treatment and mitigating risk factors related to incarceration and readjustment back to the local community where they reside and VA health care system.\nThey must make independent decisions and design policy and procedures that allow them to develop a system of care delivery in a resource scarce environment. In addition, they must work closely with community resources to help the Veterans obtain care and services in the area in which they choose to live. This will require an increased level of knowledge in information systems such as telehealth and electronic record keeping. Functional areas include: Clinical Assessment Evaluates each Veteran's situation, abilities, and capabilities, and arrives at a reasoned conclusion including an assessment of vulnerability and priority for admission. Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary plan, involving the Veteran and family or significant others, and performs a thorough assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness which may also include, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other high risks diagnoses. Verifies the Veteran's eligibility for VA medical care, and eligibility of program participation. They also help family members determine eligibility for indicated community programs. Comprehensive Case Management Performs on-site visits of HUD-VASH apartments/housing units in rural and remotely separated communities to ensure that Veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes. Coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans and their family members to ensure comprehensive service delivery and linking and referring Veterans and families to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies. In addition, the SSW must have extensive knowledge of programs and services providers in communities throughout the Northeast Washington Region. Assists Veterans in maintaining appointments at VA medical centers and other community agencies for medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, vocational and other services consistent with Veteran's goals associated with healthful independent living. Explains Veteran's treatment and progress to third parties as appropriate and manages the quality control and evaluation of the professional services provided. Devises methods of obtaining data and evaluates data to determine the effectiveness of treatment and identifies consistent qualities of successful and non-successful treatment. Program Administration and Organization Implements and maintains referral and screening procedures for potential HUD-VASH, Program Veteran participants that meet national policy as well as the needs of medical center mental health services and residential programs. Referral, screening and admission criteria recognizes program eligibility, prioritization of subsets of the homeless Veteran population, requirements of the PHAs, and other policy, regulation, or law pertaining to program administration. SSW is responsible to ensure criteria and procedures are maintained. Consults with the HUD-VASH Clinical Supervisor to inform HUD-VASH program planning and development, making the supervisor aware of shifting trends with caseloads. The SSW identifies and develops needed changes to program procedures or policies and, independently, implements these changes based upon work experiences. Documents in the patient's medical record in accordance with medical center policies. This may include a discipline-specific screening and/or development of a bio-psycho­social assessment and treatment plan within the time frame required by discipline specific service standards. Outreach Regularly conducts and participates in outreach activities including field interviews, assessments and referrals for homeless Veterans contacted in the community, shelters, and \"on the streets,\" as well as those who are referred by VA residential programs, medical centers or outpatient clinics. The SSW is required to operate and drive a government vehicle to provide services in the community. Transports Veterans to appointments in the community to ensure continuity of care. Maintains current and establishes new relationships with other community-based service providers for the homeless, and when appropriate, represents VA at community service provider meetings. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0800 - 1630\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]