Supervisory Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Deputy District Director)

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 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.

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-0183 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.

English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.

Preferred Experience: Evidence of strategic planning, program operations, policy development, data analysis, and program/project implementation.

Three or more years of Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center experience at the Vet Center Director level and above (Vet Center Director level and higher).

Demonstrated clinical supervisory experience in a mental health setting.

Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Care Line Manager/VISN/National), GS-14 - Program Manager Leadership: Experience, Education and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.

They must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-13 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Advanced knowledge and skill in management/administration of multidisciplinary mental health programs at complex facilities and/or across multiple sites which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.

Demonstrated global knowledge of mental health counseling practice to develop, maintain, and oversee programs in all settings.

Ability to provide consultation on policy implementation, qualification standards, counseling practice, and competency with medical center director, VISN, or national program managers that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives.

Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and mental health practice guidelines in multiple professional areas, and the ability to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing appropriate treatment interventions.

Ability to influence high level officials in adoption of, and conformance to, performance measures, monitors, and other policy guidelines.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The work does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodation.

Major Duties:

The Deputy District Director is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment in placing into operation all VA, VHA and RCS policies and guidance.

Because the Deputy District Director has major management and developmental responsibilities for a highly innovative program, the individual must exercise considerable independent judgment to determine the most effective means of completing assignments and responding to management needs as they arise.

Service Chiefs have responsibility for staffing, work assignments, budget, services provided, program criteria, day-to-day program operations, and all reporting requirements.

Exercises supervisory authority and is responsible for the immediate first-line supervision and performance evaluation of interdisciplinary staff.

Ensures clinical supervision to the Vet Center Directors across the respective Zone.

Serves as quality control agent for the implementation of required elements within VA, VHA, and RCS policy and guidance.

Implements program oversight over the full array of readjustment counseling services acress the mental health care continuum that occur within Vet Centers.

Provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance quality of service.

Formulates and executes budgets which are based on effective controls and realistic projections to include planning for appropriate staffing and funding requirements.

Collaborates with internal VHA partners, locally and on a national level, senior leaders, as well as external community partners to further program goals and enhance client-centered care.

Oversees external, public-facing communication that comes from within their Zone.

Establishes formal relationships with senior-level VA and non-VA stakeholders within their respective area of responsibility. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm; Monday - Friday.

Evenings and weekends may be required. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 306730 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

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