Social Worker/Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Social Worker OR Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor- Department of Veterans Affairs The Rome Outpatient Clinic and Syracuse VAMC is recruiting for one Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) or Social Worker for the Mental Health department.
The LPMHC is a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team (BHIP) Therapist who provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups using psychosocial and mental health assessments, crisis intervention, advocacy, and facilitating referrals to other appropriate VA or community service providers and agencies for the Veterans well-being.
*OUR MISSION: *To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.
How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans? *Major Duties:* -Collaborate with the Veteran and their significant others to determine the best course of action in all mental health treatment modalities.
- Develop a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, and their natural supports that considers the range of mental health treatments available and sensitivity to the unique, individual needs of the Veteran.
- Have working knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses.
The incumbent will possess a solid understanding of medical terminology to effectively communicate with other healthcare professionals.
- Familiarity with treatment procedures for the range of acute through chronic psychiatric illnesses, as well as common medications their effects and side effects.
- Expertise in evidence-based treatment methods, some but not all may include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE).
- Actively contribute to the development of the Veteran's treatment plan and set achievable goals in collaboration with the Veteran, their significant others, and other clinical staff.
- Experience in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for potential admission to psychiatric hospitalization or mental health residential program.
- Collaborate with other service providers to reassess the Veteran's needs on an ongoing basis and provide appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference with incorporation of their surrogate decision-maker when necessary.
- Facilitate discharge planning by working alongside the interdisciplinary treatment team to ensure a smooth transition for the Veteran.
This requires effective communication and coordination to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner.
- Possess excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, and ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Documenting clinical treatment inventions and activities in the patient electronic clinical record clinical record is essential.
Review progress notes from other providers to accurately assess the Veteran's strengths and limitations to ensure comprehensive care.
- Provide Consultation services regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on healthcare and treatment adherence.
- Coordinate treatment and communicate with other services to facilitate comprehensive care for Veterans.
Including the provision of continuity of care during transfer to a lower or higher level of care.
- Have general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension is crucial, as it enables the incumbent to make appropriate referrals based on Veterans' needs and eligibility.
- Perform any other duties assigned, adaptable to the changing needs of the organization and the Veterans served.
- Evaluate own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means.
Other Significant Responsibilities - The LPMHC or Social Worker participates in committee assignments, discipline specific meetings and initiatives, as deemed necessary by the service manager.
- May provide supervision to a LPMHC or Social Work Intern or be generally involved with the mental health counseling training program.
- The incumbent is expected to participate in professional activities with his/her respective discipline and when needed.
*Work Schedule*: M-F 7:30 am - 4:00 pm *Telework*: Available *Virtual:* This is not a virtual position.
*Functional Statement #*: 000000 *Relocation/Recruitment Incentives*: Not Authorized *Permanent Change of Station (PCS): *Not Authorized *Financial Disclosure Report:* Not required *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.
* You may be required to serve a probationary period.
* Subject to background/security investigation.
* Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
* Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
* Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care *Qualifications* *Basic Requirements*: *Citizenship:* Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
*Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor:* *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.
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-0101 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.
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).
*Grandfather Provision.
*(1) Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
(2) Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
(3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(4) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
(5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
*Grade Determinations*: *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: 1.
Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA.
8.
Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling.
9.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
*GS-11* *Experience, Education, and Licensure.
*In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs below.
*Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
* In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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 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.
4.
Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress.
Requires independent judgment and skill.
5.
Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial 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 facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration.
This may include evidence-based psychotherapy.
*Social Worker* *Education:* Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited.
A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work.
Verification of the degree can be made by going to https://www.
cswe.
org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work.
*Licensure:* Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
Current state requirements may be found by going to https://vaww.
va.
gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
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).
*Grandfathering Provision:* The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all title 38 hybrid qualification standards.
Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/registration requirements that apply to this occupation.
(1) All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.
For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(2) Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
(3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(5) If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.
S.
C.
7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
*Grade Determinations*: *GS-11* *Experience and Licensure:* Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.
*OR* *Education:* In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
*Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:* In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds.
Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.
e.
acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.
Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.
Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.
*References:* VA Handbook 5005 Part II *Benefits Link* https://www.
vacareers.
va.
gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.
asp *How You Will Be Evaluated* *IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.
WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR* *EXPERIENCE.
Your application, résumé, C.
V.
, and/or supporting documentation will be verified.
Please follow all instructions carefully.
Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
* Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.
g.
, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.
g.
, professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).
Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.
g.
, on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
*Veterans and Transitioning Service Members*: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
*Required Documents* To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: * Resume *NOTE:* Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Job Type: Full-time Pay: $57,118.
00 - $103,045.
00 per year Benefits: * Dental insurance * Flexible spending account * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid time off * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Monday to Friday COVID-19 considerations: The COVID-19 vaccination requirement for federal employees pursuant to Executive Order 14043 does not currently apply.
Some jobs, however, may be subject to agency- or job-specific vaccination requirements.
Work Location: In person