Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

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: 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). 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. Transcripts Require Candidates must possess 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 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 acc3ess to the electronic health record. Copy of Licensure Required 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. Grade Determinations: 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: 1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. 2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 3. 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. 4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. 5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced-based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment. 6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 7. 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. 8. 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 . Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service, paragraph 2. The Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor position is located within the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center's Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) and is assigned to the Drug Dependency Treatment Center (DDTC).

Position Details

• Job Title: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
• Company / Organisation: Veterans Health Administration
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Field / Industry: Healthcare
• Work Arrangement: On-site or hybrid - Chicago, Illinois

About This Opportunity

This full-time opportunity at Veterans Health Administration is an excellent opening for experienced professionals in the field of healthcare and medicine. The role is structured around an on-site or hybrid environment based in Chicago, Illinois and is designed for candidates who are ready to make a meaningful contribution from the moment they join.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, this role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with a local team in a structured professional environment. Candidates currently based in the area or open to relocation are strongly encouraged to apply.

Whether you are an established practitioner in healthcare and medicine or a highly skilled professional looking for your next challenge, this Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor role offers the platform to apply your expertise in a real-world, results-oriented environment. Veterans Health Administration is looking for a candidate who can hit the ground running and add genuine value to the team.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for candidates who have a solid background in healthcare and medicine and a demonstrable track record of delivering high-quality results. You should possess clinical competence, compassion, precision, and a commitment to patient safety and best-practice care. Experience working with electronic health record (EHR) systems, diagnostic tools, and clinical management platforms will be an advantage, though a commitment to continuous learning and professional development is equally valued.

Beyond technical or domain expertise, Veterans Health Administration is looking for someone who communicates clearly, collaborates effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, and takes ownership of their work from start to finish. If you thrive in a professional environment and are passionate about the opportunity to improve patient outcomes and contribute to a healthier community, we encourage you to apply.

Key Competencies for This Role

Successful candidates for the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor position at Veterans Health Administration will typically demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Domain expertise - a strong foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience in healthcare and medicine
• Problem-solving ability - the capacity to identify challenges, think critically, and implement practical solutions efficiently
• Communication skills - clear and professional communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners at all levels
• Self-management - strong time management and the ability to prioritise a varied workload while meeting deadlines
• Team collaboration - a collaborative and supportive approach to working alongside colleagues across departments or locations
• Adaptability - the ability to respond positively to change and thrive in a dynamic, evolving work environment

How to Apply

To apply for this Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor position at Veterans Health Administration, click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be taken directly to the official application page where you can complete and submit your application.

Before applying, please ensure that your CV or résumé is fully up to date and clearly highlights your experience and accomplishments in healthcare and medicine. If a cover letter is included or requested, tailor it specifically to this role and explain how your background, skills, and goals align with what Veterans Health Administration is looking for in a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor.

All applications for this role are processed directly by Veterans Health Administration. Career Nest facilitates the job discovery process and does not pre-screen or forward applications on behalf of employers. There are no fees for job seekers at any stage of the application process.

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