ART THERAPY CAREER CENTER

The incumbent, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, for whom this functional statement applies, is assigned as a member of the BHIP team and functions as a supportive member of the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Behavioral Medicine Service. The incumbent will provide professional counseling services in outpatient, settings to the Veteran population enrolled at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic 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/. NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0101 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. NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience, Education, and Licensure. The GS-9 grade level is the entry grade level for LPMHCs with less than one year of experience (post-master's degree) or for LPMHCs at the master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. 2. Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices. 3. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, and strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the life span. 4. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 5. Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help patients function effectively. 6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation and delivery of services, such as Telehealth. 7. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. 8. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. 9. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below. LPMHCs may provide clinical supervision over the clinical practice of an unlicensed LPMHC or LPMHC trainee. Some state licenses do not license an individual to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed LPMHCs. Please refer to specific state licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. 2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 3. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings and discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases and confer about the counseling perspectives and orientation. 4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. 5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment. 6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 7. Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices. 8. Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration. This may include evidence-based psychotherapy. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G43 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position is predominately a clinical/administrative position. The clinical component of this position provides direct services to patients and their families through casework. Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain, corrective lenses permitted), keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["Screening/Assessment - The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC), will develop an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the Veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status, formulate a diagnosis, and lay the foundation for the treatment plan, if necessary. The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for psychotherapy, for all adult patients, including those with co-occurring disorders. The incumbent must understand the factors and causes of mental illness, as well as the problems related to these disorders. The incumbent must have the knowledge to accurately diagnose the different types of mental illnesses. The incumbent will be able to utilize assessment tools and assessment methods to best serve the Veteran. It is the responsibility of the LMHPC, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan with the Veteran based on this assessment. The initial assessment will be completed as specified by the policy for the assigned work area. Reassessment will be conducted at intervals specified in program policies. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The LMHPC is responsible for developing the treatment plan and setting achievable and measurable treatment goals with the Veteran/family. The treatment plan will consider the Veteran's strengths and weaknesses. The incumbent will factor in the bio-psycho-social needs of the Veteran. The treatment plan will be completed by the patient's fifth visit for mental health services. The plan will be updated as defined by policy depending on the services utilized by the Veteran. Referral to service providers - Throughout the course of treatment the LMHPC is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The LMHPC will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs. The LMHPC is responsible for educating the Veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. These include, but are not limited to, referrals to psychiatrists, residential and dual diagnosis treatment facilities, and any other available community resources that are deemed appropriate through patient assessment and reassessment. Resource Usage/Development - The LMHPC is responsible for using the current behavioral medicine resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans. The LMHPC will refer the Veteran to needed services as determined by Veteran's needed level of care. Advocacy - LMHPC understands the complexity of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, LMHPC will educate and encourage the Veteran/family to advocate in their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Crisis Intervention - LMHPC is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to residential and dual disorder inpatient programs and detoxification services. LMHPC will provide crisis intervention, stabilization, and follow-up for Veterans and significant others. This includes evaluation and management of suicidal/homicidal patients and other psychiatric emergencies. LMHPC has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, LMHPC will assess the Veteran's needs, and the appropriate placement will be made in accordance with policy and procedure. Education/Health promotion and prevention - LMHPC provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans/families/couples to the appropriate service provider for identified health education needs. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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