The Muskogee Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Mental Health Service Line is currently recruiting for 3 psychotherapy providers for the Behavioral Health Integrated Program (BHIP) for the new Tulsa Outpatient Clinic based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is a multi-discipline position and selections can be made from the following: Social Worker, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist or Psychologist. 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: 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-101 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling, which includes diagnosis and treatment. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. The Human Resources Office will provide the unlicensed LPMHC in writing the requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to Obtain License. In all cases, LPMHCs must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed within three years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0101 LPMHC series and may result in termination of employment. 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 3j. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS -9 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. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in paragraph 3.b. and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: a. Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. b 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. c. 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. d. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. e. 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. f. 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. g. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. h. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. i. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. GS -11 Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 1 year of post-master's degree mental health counseling experience; or In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in mental health counseling, or a related field may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional mental health counseling experience. In addition to the basic requirements listed above, you must be able to demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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 students 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. 5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced-based practices and screening/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 deliver psycho-education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration. References: VA Handbook 5005/42 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: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals and records boxes. ["Duties may include, but are not limited to:\n* 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.\n*Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for substance abuse therapy, for all adult patients, including those with co-occurring disorders. The incumbent must understand the factors and causes of substance abuse, as well as the problems related to these disorders. The incumbent must have the knowledge to accurately diagnose the different types of substance abuse and dependence.\n*Ability 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.\n* 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.\n*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.\n* 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.\n* 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.\n* The LMHPC will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran being referred for SUD/Marriage/Family/Couples counseling services. The LMHPC will work with other disciplines to coordinate the most effective care that can be provided. LMHPC will educate the Veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the Veteran and family on the preferred option.\n* LMHPC will provide the Veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with addiction, relapse, recovery, and interpersonal relationships.\n* LMHPC will develop content for individual, marriage, family, couples and group therapy to obtain SUD goals and objectives. Content will be open for supervisory review in keeping with accepted professional standards.\n* LMHPC will utilize professionalism and ethical standards in the delivery of service without exception.\n* LMHPC will conduct individual, family, and group therapy on an outpatient basis to deliver the needed services to the Veteran. Primary focus of therapy will be related to substance abuse disorders, dual diagnosis disorders, as well as the relationship between substance use and family/couples' dynamics. The purpose of therapy is to increase level of functioning for the Veteran/family/couple.\n* Maintains records which are in keeping with VA and JCAHO standards.\n* LMHPC trains and educates other service providers on substance abuse disorder recognition and services offered by SUD. LMHPC trains and educates other service providers on services offered by SUD LMHPC.\n* LMHPC coordinates with SUD supervisor in distributing and collecting patient satisfaction surveys to ensure quality services are being rendered.\n*LMHPC maintains a basic awareness of eligibility requirements for services and interfaces with VA and community services.\n* LMHPC is a member of the SUD multi-disciplinary team and maintains communication with team members.\n*LMHPC will order drug and alcohol screens to ensure patient compliance within the SUD program. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm CST\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 53678-0\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]