Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet 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.

The Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Southeast Network (VISN 7), VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta, GA located in the Mental Health Service. The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) serves as an independently licensed clinician within the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. Duties include, however, not limited to: Independently performs focused, functional biopsychosocial assessments for Veterans in primary care. Provides brief, evidence-based interventions for common PCMHI conditions (depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, health behavior change, etc.). Uses measurement-based care for assessment, monitoring, and treatment decisions. Manages warm handoffs and provides same-day brief interventions. Works closely with Primary Care Providers, nurses, and team members for shared treatment planning and coordinated care. Provides real-time behavioral health consultation to primary care staff. Participates in interdisciplinary team huddles, case conferences, and collaborative problem-solving. Facilitates timely referrals to specialty mental health programs. Provides brief follow-up or bridge care to ensure continuity. Coordinates transitions across services and ensures communication of clinical information. Independently conducts suicide risk assessments, violence risk evaluations, and safety planning. Provides crisis stabilization and coordinates emergency care when needed. Completes timely and accurate documentation following VA, Joint Commission, and CARF standards. Adheres to national PCMHI standards, guidelines, and measurement-based care requirements. Participates in PCMHI program development, quality improvement, and data monitoring activities. Contributes to training and education for primary care and mental health staff. Maintains professional competencies and ongoing continuing education. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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) 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: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60550F 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. 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.