Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Developmental)

Summary

This full-time licensed mental health counselor position functions at the advanced practice, full-performance level within the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. The incumbent serves as a Collaborative Care Manager (CoCM), supporting delivery of evidence-based, measurement-driven mental health services within primary care settings.

Duties

• Duties at the GS-9 level include but are not limited to: - Conducts initial psychosocial screenings and gathers clinical data to support diagnostic clarification, under supervision. - Assist in the coordination of patient care and follow up, under the guidance of licensed clinical staff. - Supports patient engagement and care management activities through structured follow-up, patient outreach, and data collection. - Participates in interdisciplinary case conferences, team huddles, and care planning under the supervision of a licensed provider. - Documents care coordination and clinical updates in the medical record in accordance with local and national standards, with oversight. - Develop skills in motivational interviewing, patient education, and the delivery of brief evidence-informed interventions, under clinical supervision. Attends and participates in relevant trainings, supervision sessions, and educational activities to gain proficiency in PCMHI and collaborative care principles. - Assists in identifying treatment barriers and contributes to care planning under supervision. - Participates in performance improvement and program evaluation activities as appropriate for developmental level. - Seeks consultation and supervision in clinical decision making and ethical concerns. At the GS-11 level, duties include but are not limited to: - Serves as a key point of contact for patients enrolled in the collaborative care model, conducting structured assessments, facilitating measurement-based care, and ensuring follow up and continuity. - Coordinates care between primary care, mental health, and psychiatry team members, ensuring alignment with clinical recommendations and timely treatment adjustments. - Reviews and interprets clinical assessments, provider documentation, and psychiatric recommendations to support integrated treatment planning. - Provides patient education related to mental health conditions, medication adherence, coping strategies, and self management techniques. Communicates directly with PCPs and psychiatric consultants to relay clinical updates and recommend treatment changes based on measurement-based outcomes. - Documents all contacts and clinical decisions thoroughly and in compliance with local and national documentation standards. - Participates in interdisciplinary case reviews, team huddles, and ongoing consultation processes. -Provides motivational interviewing, patient education, and the delivery of brief evidence-informed interventions. - Engages in quality improvement initiatives, program evaluation activities, and supports efforts to improve access, coordination, and veteran outcomes within PCMHI. - May provide consultation and member mentorship to trainees or less experienced staff participating in PCMHI services. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: #60414F, #60415F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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: 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/.