Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (SCI/Rehab-CLC)

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (SCI/Rehab-CLC)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Syracuse, New York

Salary Range: $61111 - $96119 Per Year

Job Summary: The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor is a full-time position assigned to the Mental Health ICC and will be located at the Syracuse VAMC in Syracuse, NY. The LPMHC will work 50% of the time on the SCI/Rehab Unit and 50% on the Community Living Center (CLC) floor.

Major Duties:

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: The LPMHC independently conducts psychosocial assessments and diagnoses all psychiatric disorders. The LPMHC provides ongoing psychotherapy via individual and group to Veterans and may provide couples and family therapy as indicated. The LPMHC has advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. The LPMHC provides various treatment modalities, including EBP's. The PCT LPMHC must have the 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 and to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment and the ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions. The LPMHC demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. The PCT LPMHC may be expected to work with a unique population, including Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. The LPMHC has the ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. This requires independent judgment and skill. At times the LPMHC may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities. While the LPMHC will be given the independence to develop the kind of group programming that is most effective for Veterans on their caseload, there may be some group programming, that the LPMHC may be expected to deliver. Possess knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration, including evidence based psychotherapy. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: As determined by facility Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Qualifications: 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: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). 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-0183 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. NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. 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). Preferred Experience: One year of post-master's experience as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor. Preferred candidates will need to have clinical experience caring for individuals with spinal cord injuries and familiarity with managing complex medical needs on inpatient Community Living Center (CLC) floors. Candidates with a demonstrated ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and navigate the unique challenges of this population are especially valued. Grade Determinations: GS-9 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Entry Level) a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. The entry level is used for LPMHCs with less than one year of post-master's degree experience or for LPMHCs who are graduates, not yet licensed at the independent practice level.GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. 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. GS-11 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/50, part II, Appendix G43 For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 is primarily sedentary. Note: This position may be filled by a Psychologist, Social Worker or Licensed Mental Health Professional (LPMHC). These three positions are advertised separately on USAJobs. If you are a Social Worker and are interested in applying, please apply here vacancy 12945474. If you are a Psychologist and are interested in applying, please apply here vacancy 12945743.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/13/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12945475. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-13