Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Primary Care/MH Integration Substance Use Disorder

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Substance Use Disorder (SUD) will ensure the delivery of evidence based care for primary care patients identified at risk for/or with a substance use disorder. This position enhances same-day access reviewing primary care patient panels and triaging the Veteran to the most appropriate level of care. S/he will be responsible for ensuring the coordination of the mental health treatment of patients in the primary care clinic.

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor- Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Substance Abuse Disorder position is located at the Charleston VA Clinic in South Charleston, WV. Major Duties include but not limited to: Provides screening/assessment/consultation for Veterans needing mental health treatment. Develops community resources & coordinates these resources in the interest of the Veteran. Provides case management services to include internal and external referrals, resources, education, advocacy, and supportive services. Completes structured diagnostic and clinical assessments for participants. Utilize proactive patient identification and outreach activities related to substance misuse for the PACT population. Offer formal or curbside consultation regarding the treatment of SUD within primary care. Provides psycho-education and direct advice regarding symptoms of depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse to patients. Specializes in staff development & patient education in the area of mental health treatment. Determines the appropriate level of care need for patients not in treatment and the ability to understand the variety of clinical options available through the medical center and local community. Support Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Clinical Practice Guideline-concordant care of SUD within primary care. Reviews Primary Care patient panels for positive mental health screen reminders or the use of psychotropic medications, thereby identifying potential patients who may benefit from PC/MHI interventions. Serve as a Point of Contact related to SUD concerns within PACT, with emphasis on Opiate and Alcohol Use Disorders. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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.