Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Mental Health Out Patient

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) position is assigned to the St. Cloud VA (Health Care System) HCS Mental Health Integrated Clinical Community (MH ICC). The LPMHC provides comprehensive psychotherapy, assessment, care coordination and consult management services to Veterans for issues related to mental health, behavior issues, substance use disorders, and other complex and diverse psychosocial problems.

CLINICIAL FUNCTIONS: Clinical mental health functions include the following tasks: Conducting behavioral health and mental health biopsychosocial assessments of Veterans and collateral contacts. Establish Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnoses. Creating comprehensive, recovery-focused behavioral health and mental health treatment plans with Veterans and in coordination with other disciplines. Provide assessment and treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Completing suicide/homicide risk assessments and safety plans, as required. Providing clinically efficacious, evidence-based therapeutic services to include individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy/counseling services for Veterans. Interview Veterans and their families to develop/complete biopsychosocial assessments utilizing knowledge of human development and behavior and the differential influences of the environment, society, and culture. Establishing and maintaining therapeutic alliances with Veterans and their families. Analyzing complex psychological problems. Coordinating with internal and external and ancillary mental health professionals to ensure appropriate transitions of care. Developing and providing psychoeducational groups. Collaborating effectively with an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Providing advocacy to overcome potential barriers to access care/services and when it is in the best interests of the Veteran. Educate and empower the Veteran/family to advocate on his/her own behalf. Identifying service gaps and collaborate with others across the Health Care System to encourage development or modification of services to meet the needs of Veterans. Providing education and assist in the completion of Advance Directives; Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation release of information forms; and Guardianship documentation as requested. Maintaining accurate, timely, and complete clinical records in accordance with professional practice and VA administration guidelines. Possessing and demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. Attending and participating in all required clinical and administrative meetings. Collaborating in performance improvement processes and complying with performance measures as required by the VA for specific population/program. Conducting practice in accordance with the VA and discipline specific ethical requirements. Practicing within the limits of current licensure or certification. Providing orientation, supervision and/or mentoring to new LPMHCs. The incumbent may be detailed to other areas of need in the MHSL to meet the needs of the health care system, which will be determined by the direct supervisor and/or the MH Integrated Care Community. ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS A. Possesses and demonstrates ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. B. Possesses skills in using computer systems and the internet for Veterans who choose this modality to communicate. C. Serves on supervisor approved committees, work groups, and task forces at the local facility, VISN or national level. Collaborates in performance improvement processes and complies with performance measures as required by the VA for specific population/program. D. Attends and participates in all required administrative and clinical meetings. E. Maintains accurate, timely, and complete clinical records in accordance with professional practice and VA administration guidelines. F. Maintains data and statistical compilations to comply with accreditation bodies such as CARF and Joint Commission, and VA health care systems policies and procedures. ROLE-SPECIFIC TASKS A. Providing Mental Health Treatment Coordination (MHTC) services within a team of interdisciplinary providers. B. Coordinate and facilitate the Veteran's overall treatment, view the Veteran comprehensively and provide continuity among various services by linking VA and community resources into continuum of care, incorporate both inpatient and outpatient care. C. Incorporating a Recovery Model of Care to provide the framework for a collaborative relationship between the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator and the Veteran: Recovery-based goals enhance accessibility, accountability, and efficiency of services-guiding principles of the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator/Veteran relationship are self-direction and patient responsibility, the facilitation of strength, independence, and hope, and the empowerment of the Veteran in his/her personal health. D. Conduct Virtual Visits in modalities preferred by patients and utilize Consult Toolbox functions. E. Appropriately receives, actions, and processes consults. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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. Must have and maintain a current valid, unrestricted drivers license 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.