Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Quick Facts

• Role: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (independently licensed clinician)
• Setting: Primary Care–Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program within VA primary care

Description

Provide brief, evidence-based assessments, interventions, and consultation services to Veterans seen in primary care using integrated behavioral health and collaborative care models. Support early identification of mental health concerns, improve access through same-day/warm handoffs and rapid engagement, and coordinate care with interdisciplinary teams. Deliver measurement-based care, risk assessments and safety planning, crisis stabilization when clinically indicated, and timely documentation.

Responsibilities

• Perform focused, functional biopsychosocial assessments for mental/behavioral health concerns in primary care
• Provide brief evidence-based interventions for depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, stress, insomnia, and support chronic disease management and health behavior change
• Use measurement-based care to inform assessment, monitor progress, and support clinical decision-making
• Conduct warm handoffs and provide same-day brief interventions within the integrated primary care model
• Provide real-time behavioral health consultation on symptoms, risk factors, behavioral change strategies, motivational approaches, treatment options, and referrals
• Collaborate with Primary Care Providers, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members on shared treatment planning and coordinated care
• Participate in team huddles and case conferences to solve clinical and operational problems
• Make timely referrals to specialty mental health services and provide brief bridge follow-up for continuity
• Coordinate care transitions by communicating essential clinical information across services
• Conduct independent suicide risk assessments, violence risk evaluations, and develop safety plans
• Provide crisis stabilization interventions and coordinate emergency response when clinically indicated
• Complete timely, accurate documentation per VA, Joint Commission, and CARF requirements
• Follow national PCMHI practice standards and clinical guidelines
• Participate in program development, quality improvement, and data monitoring
• Support education and training for primary care and mental health staff on integrated behavioral health principles
• Maintain professional competency through continuing education

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Full, current, unrestricted LPMHC license with authority to provide clinical supervision
• Five years of post-licensure experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and progressive professional competency
• One year of progressively complex LPMHC experience equivalent to GS-11
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation

Benefits

Comprehensive U.S. government employee benefits package (eligibility depends on position type).