Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Summary

The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) utilizes integrated behavioral health and collaborative care models to improve access to mental health services, support early identification and treatment of behavioral health concerns, and enhance coordination between primary care and mental health teams. Supports same-day access, warm handoffs, and rapid engagement for Veterans, while delivering care across multiple clinic locations as needed to meet organizational priorities.

Duties

This position is located within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VISN 7, VA Augusta Health Care System, in the Mental Health Service. The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) serves as an independently licensed clinician embedded in the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. The incumbent delivers brief, evidence-based assessments, interventions, and consultation services to Veterans seen in primary care. Using expertise in integrated behavioral health, collaborative care models, and population-based treatment, the LPMHC promotes early identification of mental health concerns, improves access to care, and enhances coordination between primary care and mental health services. The role supports same-day access, warm handoffs, rapid engagement, and seamless collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to address behavioral health needs in primary care settings. Duties include, however, not limited to: Perform focused, functional biopsychosocial assessments for Veterans presenting with mental or behavioral health concerns in primary care. Provide brief, evidence-based interventions for conditions commonly seen in PCMHI, including depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, stress, insomnia, chronic disease management, and health behavior change. Utilize measurement-based care to inform assessment, monitor treatment progress, and support clinical decision-making. Conduct warm handoffs and offer same-day brief interventions as part of the integrated primary care model. Collaborate with Primary Care Providers, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to support shared treatment planning and coordinated care. Provide real-time behavioral health consultation on mental health symptoms, risk factors, behavioral change strategies, motivational approaches, treatment options, and referrals. Participate in team huddles, case conferences, and collaborative problem-solving to enhance integrated care delivery. Facilitate timely referrals to specialty mental health services and offer brief follow-up or bridge care to ensure continuity. Coordinate care transitions, ensuring clear communication of essential clinical information across services. Conduct independent suicide risk assessments, violence risk evaluations, and safety planning. Provide crisis stabilization interventions and coordinate emergency response when clinically indicated. Complete timely, accurate documentation in accordance with VA, Joint Commission, and CARF requirements. Adhere to national PCMHI practice standards, clinical guidelines, and measurement-based care expectations. Participate in program development, quality improvement initiatives, and data monitoring supporting PCMHI operations. Support education and training for primary care and mental health staff on integrated behavioral health principles. Maintain professional competency through continuing education and ongoing training relevant to integrated care models. Work Schedule: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60550F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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 and Licensure Must have five years of post-licensure experience demonstrating advanced practice skills, sound clinical judgment, and progressive professional competency. Must hold a full, current, unrestricted LPMHC license that includes the authority to provide clinical supervision to trainees and/or unlicensed LPMHCs. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Must have one year of progressively complex professional LPMHC experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Preferred Experience: Prefer experience working in interdisciplinary teams, brief evidence-based interventions, and brief/focused assessments. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.