Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

About the role

As a member of a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program team {BHIP), the incumbent will conduct psychosocial assessments, provide crisis intervention, clinical case management, and evidence-based psychotherapy (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy {CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy {ACT), Problem­ Solving Therapy {PST), Cognitive Processing Therapy {CPT), etc.) as well as work with the Veteran and the BHIP team to establish treatment plans.

What you will do

• Incumbent independently conducts assessments, evaluating the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their families to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying needs, strengths and coping skills in collaboration with the patient and family as appropriate.
• Incumbent will provide triage assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling/psychotherapy for Veterans using evidence-based practice.
• Incumbent provides clinical case management services to Veterans.
• The incumbent coordinates care and assures that Veterans receive needed services to increase functionality, independence, and quality of life.
• The incumbent sets clinical care goals in collaboration with the patient, monitors progress toward goals, and works to achieve outcomes, including reduced hospitalizations.
• Incumbent attends appropriate team meetings (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs huddles and meetings, Behavioral Health/Recovery Services, social work etc.) and works closely with patients' providers and other team members to effectively coordinate care.
• Incumbent establishes collaborative relationships with mental health providers particularly, as well as other team members and staff outside the department in order to more effectively coordinate patients' care.
• Incumbent has knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures.
• This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.
• Incumbent has knowledge of community and VA resources, and makes appropriate referrals to programs in order to best meet Veterans' needs and coordinate Veterans' care.
• Incumbent advocates on behalf of the Veteran to ensure that services and benefits are obtained in a timely manner and in keeping with the VA's goals for excellence in customer service.
• Incumbent provides education and consultation to staff, students, patients, and families regarding programs and serves as a point of contact for the community for these programs.
• Incumbent remains current on VA policies and procedures relevant to program areas.
• Incumbent works with team to meet goals and performance measures within program, including Noninstitutional Care measures.
• Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
• The incumbent is required to attend Ambulatory Care Center administrative and professional meetings as directed.
• Provide supervision to lower graded counselors requiring clinical supervision.
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available (Ad hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 92785A, 92786-A, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor/CBSR-13057073-26-JD.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.
• 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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: ***

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VHA employees. 2.

Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. 3. All other applicants.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Other (2) Other (3) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Resume Supplemental Information Resume Reminder. Your resume must include the following information: Employment Entries Position Title, Employer Duration: Starting and ending dates of experience (month and year). Hours: Worked per week.

Education: Name and location of college, dates attended, and type / date of any degree earned. *Transcript may be required with application. Licenses and/or certificates earned *License verification must be included with application if listed as a requirement.

To ensure you are properly rated, you must make certain the required experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) listed in the qualifications section is addressed in detail in your resume. Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume.

Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications.

To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

SF-50 Supplemental Information SF-50 Required for Eligibility You must upload the most recent SF-50 to ensure you are a current employee. - Cost of Living Adjustment increase SF-50s effective 2026 or any sequential SF-50s dated in 2026 to follow is acceptable. - SF-50s dated prior to 2026 will not confirm current employment status and will result in your application to be found ineligible.