About this role

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/08/2026. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a LPMHC are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. §7402(b)(11). To qualify for appointment as a LPMHC all applicants must: a. 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.).

b. 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. c. 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. d. English Language Proficiency. LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j.

Preferred Experience: Experience leading geographically dispersed, multi-site healthcare or behavioral health operations, supervising managers and interdisciplinary teams; managing workforce qualify and operational performance; implementing improvement and strategic initiatives in complex healthcare organization; use data to drive organizational performance. Experience in serving veterans or working within VA is preferred Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Care Line Manager/VISN/National), GS-14 - Program Manager Leadership Assignment In addition to the basic requirements above for employment, the following criteria must be met: Experience: candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.

They must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-13 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Advanced knowledge and skill in management/administration of multidisciplinary mental health programs at complex facilities and/or across multiple sites which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.

2. Demonstrated global knowledge of mental health counseling practice to develop, maintain, and oversee programs in all settings. 3. Ability to provide consultation on policy implementation, qualification standards, counseling practice, and competency with medical center director, VISN, or national program managers that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. 4. Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and mental health practice guidelines in multiple professional areas, and the ability to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing appropriate treatment interventions.

5. Ability to influence high level officials in adoption of, and conformance to, performance measures, monitors, and other policy guidelines Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: Due to the widespread geographical area of responsibility, the position requires a commitment of at least fifty percent travel.

The position requires that the incumbent must possess a valid driver's license. Completing of his/her supervisory and oversight functions involves driving long distances between Vet Centers and other VA or community partner facilities.

Source listing: usajobs