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USAJOBS · 2 months ago

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Suicide Prevention Case Manager

Erie, Pennsylvania, USA

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$77K/yr - $100K/yr

1+ years exp

The Erie VA Medical Center is seeking a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor for their Behavioral Health Clinic. The role involves assessing and treating Veterans at risk for suicide, providing crisis intervention, and managing care for high-risk individuals.

ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

The incumbent independently conducts VA-approved screenings and evaluations of Veterans when identified as being in crisis or at risk for hurting self or others

When assessing Veterans for admission to the BHC, the incumbent uses the established biopsychosocial admissions criteria to determine the appropriateness of Veterans referred to the BHC for service in the different treatment components with special emphasis on crisis intervention

While the patient is in treatment, the SPCM continues to reassess and monitor the status of problematic behaviors; routinely evaluates the impact that therapeutic interventions have on patient problems; assesses patients' progress toward meeting treatment goals and objectives; and determines the need for additional assessment of specific problem areas

The Behavioral Health Licensed Clinical Social Worker SPCM provides treatment with a special emphasis on crisis intervention and stabilization

When providing treatment, incumbent relies on own clinical judgment to address patient problems in a fashion that is consistent with the knowledge and skills of other professional staff with master's level training

May conduct psychotherapy for patients with substance abuse problems, mental health problems, or co-morbid conditions

Provides crisis intervention and stabilization to patients and significant others. Crisis intervention requires the incumbent to function with a high degree of independent judgment in responding appropriately and quickly to unique needs/dangers in crisis situations

He/she will keep abreast of new treatment techniques and evidence-based practices

Finally, the Behavioral Health Licensed Clinical Social Worker SPCM documents patients' responses to treatment in a manner that facilitates the use of this information by other members of the interdisciplinary team

The incumbent manages and monitors services for Veterans designated as high risk for suicide throughout the medical center, including community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) and community agencies, and acts as the transitional case manager of care for these Veterans

Collaboration with inpatient treatment providers/practitioners to support appropriate discharge planning following recommendations for treatment of Veterans at high risk for suicide

Ensuring that all Veterans assigned to the facility high risk monitoring list are being followed for a time period not less than 90 days following hospitalization, or 90 days from the date of assignment to the high-risk list

Monitoring activities include: Face-to-face and/or telephone contact with the Veteran to assess their safety and ongoing compliance with treatment

Tracking any no-show appointments by Veterans and following up with the Veteran and provider/practitioner as soon as possible to assess safety and reschedule the appointment. Initiating emergency interventions appropriate to the situation, including but not limited to, contacting Veteran's identified emergency contact, and /or calling 911

With Veteran's consent, contacting family members and/or other identified supports to provide education and involve in patient's treatment and safety planning

Contacting and collaborating with the Veteran's mental health treatment coordinator (MHTC) to coordinate monitoring activities, track appointments and coordinate enhanced care as needed

Making recommendations for referral of repeat attempters to a variety of appropriate VA and community programs

Maintaining awareness of suicide treatment options and making recommendations to the Veteran's providers when new options become available

Qualification

Licensed Professional Mental Health CounselorCrisis interventionClinical evaluationPsychosocial assessmentEvidence-based practicesMulticultural counselingPatient managementCommunication skillsTeam collaboration

Required

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

Must pass pre-employment physical examination

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

United States 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)

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

English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoke and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j

Grandfathering Provision: 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)

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

Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the 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