Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (BHIP) Case Manager

Full Job Description

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 & 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.

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 English Language Proficiency. Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education.

A Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) must 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).

Additional information may be obtained from https://www.cacrep.org/directory/. Licensure.

Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment.

VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS GS-9 Experience and Education.

The GS-9 grade level is the entry grade for LPMHCs graduates who completed the required education (post-master's degree or at the master's or doctoral level) and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure.

In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up.

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.

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.

Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions.

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.

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.

Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA.

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 GS-11 Experience.

The GS-11 grade level is the full performance grade level for LPMHC, in addition to the to the basic education and license requirements above, the candidate must have at least one (1) year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience).

In addition, the candidate must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship.

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.

Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill.

Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.

Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions.

Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practice.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary.

Some work may require movement between offices, hospital, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work.

Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site.

Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

The incumbent must possess a current Driver's License and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary. Major Duties:

This Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Case Manager is responsible for providing care coordination services (including but not limited to biopsychosocial assessment, walk-in/crisis services, education, provision of self-management resources) and other clinical tasks as needed for Veterans receiving services in BHIP at the VA Montana Health Care | Veterans Affairs.

The duties include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent in this position functions as a Care Coordinator for Veterans on a BHIP team and is responsible for coordination and continuity of care for Veterans receiving services throughout the Mental Health Service (MHS) with support and consultation of supervisor.

The incumbent has working knowledge in the use of mental health diagnoses and basic medical terminology.

Basic knowledge of mental health diagnoses and treatment modalities is necessary for this position.

Care coordination (including care management and/or case management) includes determining and monitoring care coordination needs over time, providing care coordination, education and facilitating follow-up and outreach as needed to promote proactive, personalized care and care continuity.

Incumbent will participate in treatment planning, chart reviews, and discharge planning.

Care coordinator may include assisting Veteran in accessing care and/or resources via assisting in transportation and being present to assist Veteran in communicating needs.

Incumbent will complete task with supervision and in consultation with the BHIP team.

Work Schedule: Full-time | Monday to Friday | 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 436-55413-A, 436-55414-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized