Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - SUD Program

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) & 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.

Major Duties include but are not limited to: Independently conducts intake screenings and evaluations of Veterans and their significant others. When assessing Veterans for admission to the BHC, the incumbent uses the established biopsychosocial admissions criteria to determine the appropriateness of Veterans referred to the BHC for service in the different treatment components. At admission, performs a comprehensive intake assessment and SUD evaluation that satisfy Joint Commission (JC) standards and provides clinically meaningful information related to the specific cognitive - social learning treatment approach used in the BHC. While the patient is in treatment, the Behavioral Health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor continues to reassess and monitor the status of problematic behaviors; Routinely evaluates the impact that therapeutic interventions have on patient problems; assesses patients' progress toward meeting treatment goals and objectives; determines the need for additional assessment of specific problem areas; Conducts and documents a discharge assessment that summarizes the extent to which each problem is resolved and the extent to which additional treatment is needed; and schedules and monitors specimen collection for assessment of substance abuse. Behavioral Health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy, as well as crisis intervention. When providing treatment, incumbent relies on own clinical judgment to address patient problems in a fashion that is consistent with the knowledge and skills of other professional staff with master's level training. Conducts short, medium, long-term in-depth counseling and facilitates both open-ended, process groups; and time-limited, closed, structured groups for patients with substance abuse problems, mental health problems, or co-morbid conditions. Facilitate group counseling, to include facilitating the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Provides crisis intervention and stabilization to patients and significant others. Crisis intervention requires the incumbent to function with a high degree of independent judgment in responding appropriately and quickly to unique needs/dangers in crisis situations. The incumbent develops and as needed, revises treatment plans. Keep abreast of new treatment techniques and evidence-based practices. Finally, the Behavioral Health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor documents patients' responses to treatment in a manner that facilitates the use of this information by other members of the interdisciplinary team. Takes a supportive role in the administrative/clinical functions of the program such as quality assurance, policy and procedure development, program planning, preparation of reports, and other duties as assigned. Actively participates in BHC committees; provides training to Medical Center and BHC staff through patient review conferences, BHC in service programs, and medical education presentations Conducts other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 10:00am - 6:30pm and Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm Telework: Available - Ad-Hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhavisn04hredrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 examination. 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.