About this role
Job SummaryThis 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) & 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 ineligible to apply.
QualificationsBasic 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 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). 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 http://www.cacrep.org/directory/. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 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. 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). All persons employed in VHA in as LPMHC on the effective date of this qualification standard, 4/3/2018, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Grade Determinations: Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must have been in a major specialty treatment program area such as, but not limited to, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mental health intensive case management (MHICM), or other areas of equivalent scope and complexity. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: In depth knowledge of the program coordinated, and demonstrated knowledge and ability to write policies procedures and or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to make key decisions in the hiring and identification of top candidates. Ability to provide leadership in facilitating the process of coordinating program consults, assessments, admissions, care assignments and discharges. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to other colleagues and trainees within the field of counseling working on an interdisciplinary team. Preferred Experience: PE 1. Advanced knowledge of the practice and competency training of LPMHC interns in Texas and the VA. PE 2. Experience writing program policies, MOU¿s and guidelines for the training of LPMHC interns in VA. PE 3. Experience engaging with universities for the purposes of creating affiliation agreements among VA and academic institutions of higher learning. PE 4. Experience working with colleagues for the purposes of creating training opportunities for LPMHC interns in VA. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This vacancy is GS-12 and above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds."
Major DutiesServes as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor and Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator, leading local suicide-prevention efforts through high-risk Veteran monitoring, clinical coordination, crisis response, staff and community education, program oversight, data analysis, reporting, and implementation of VA policies and evidence-based practices. Duties Coordinates implementation of facility suicide-prevention strategies, programs, and initiatives. Maintains and monitors the facility list of Veterans identified as being at high risk for suicide. Ensures high-risk Veterans receive timely, appropriate, and continuous mental health services. Consults and collaborates with providers regarding the assessment, treatment, and management of high-risk Veterans. Responds to Veteran Crisis Line referrals, contacts referred Veterans, facilitates treatment engagement, and reports intervention outcomes. Conducts Suicide Behavior and Overdose Reports and Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluations. Reviews cases and recommends activation, continuation, or removal of high-risk patient record flags. Ensures Category I Patient Record Flags are implemented and managed in accordance with VA requirements. Tracks missed appointments involving high-risk Veterans and coordinates prompt follow-up and rescheduling. Provides direct clinical care, consultation, and intervention for Veterans at elevated risk for suicide. Trains clinical staff, nonclinical staff, Veterans, community organizations, and Veteran service organizations on suicide prevention. Promotes evidence-based suicide-prevention interventions, treatment options, best practices, and available resources. Advises Mental Health leadership, facility officials, providers, and interdisciplinary teams on suicide-prevention matters. Compiles program data, protects and transmits sensitive information, completes local, VISN, and national reports, monitors performance measures, and coordinates compliance across service lines. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Available, ad-hoc only, in accordance with agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54104-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Pre-Employment/Post-Employment Physical Examination: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization 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 interest. In 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.