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The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) provides outpatient, general mental health services for patients in the VA Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) in Danville, IL. The candidate provides assessment and primary intervention for veterans suffering from substance use disorders and other co-occurring mental health concerns including, adjustment, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Basic Requirements: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education Requirement - You must have a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 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. (Transcripts Required) Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade level of the candidate. GS-11 Grade level - Experience and Licensure/Certification: Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-master's or post-doctoral degree mental health counseling experience and licensed to practice at the independent practice level, In addition candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 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. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced-based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/106, Part II, Appendix G43, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, dated 4/3/2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. ["Major Duties: Serves as a member of the BHIP team with specialized knowledge and experience in the assessment and treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders. Completes all components of the intake and assessment process, to include developing a treatment plan pertaining to all assessed needs. Serves as case manager for a panel of patients, the size of which is commensurate with other clinicians on the staff of the SUD Clinic. Attends to a broad range of patient needs that are not fully met directly through the clinical services provided by the SUD Clinic itself, including but not limited to those needs dealing with physical health, employment, finances, family, social support, and housing. Provides same-day services as needed for Veterans, including referring patients for emergency medical treatment, psychiatric medication evaluation, SUD specialty care or non-medical detoxification as well as coordinating the admission of patients to an inpatient psychiatric unit. The incumbent, being trained and experienced in the treatment of patients with substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders, provides a range of treatment services, including but not limited to individuals and group treatment. Group treatment includes psycho-educational as well as psychotherapeutic groups. Utilizes evidence-based treatment methods whenever possible. They employ Motivational Interviewing skills and techniques, and interventions based on both abstinence and harm reduction approaches to substance use disorders as clinically indicated. Assesses patient interest in and eligibility for Medication Assisted Therapies and provides referrals for evaluation for these treatments. Participates in staff meetings and BHIP team huddles regarding clinical, administrative, and staff development issues. Ensures that all clinical work is documented accurately and in a timely fashion, consistent with the MHSL and facility expectations and policies. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm\nTelework: Occasional telework may be authorized with supervisor approval\nVirtual: This is NOT a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor BHIP-SUD\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]