Summary The Deputy Chief of Mental Health (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Program Manager) manages administrative and clinical aspects with a broad responsibility for multiple mental health programs located across VA Western Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS). The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below Responsibilities Provides broad program management responsibilities for several programs, including leadership in the development, implementation, evaluation, and oversight of complex programs responsible for comprehensive clinical care of Veterans. Leads several multidisciplinary teams, which include psychologists, physicians, social workers, nurses, and other health care professionals and trainees. Develops, implements, and oversight of operational policies and procedures for the programs, with the approval of the affiliated Service Line Leader. Conducts ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects that monitor the effectiveness of clinical operations within their respective program(s). Organizes and leads leadership team meetings to facilitate case disposition, care management, effective delivery of clinical interventions, and the adherence to administrative demands. Monitors and distributes provider-specific workload reports to team leaders and ensures provider adherence to workload standards. Plans work to be accomplished by team leaders and Program Managers, including establishing priorities, timelines for completion and necessary adjustments therein. Ensures timely access to care of patients assigned to each team, in accordance with local and national policies. Monitors compliance of team leaders and members with VA performance measures and effectively shapes provider practice patterns to improve standing on performance measures. Provides clinical supervision, as appropriate, to assigned team leaders and members regarding adherence to WCHCS clinical and legal standards and policies, documentation of CPRS procedures, and the clinical management of difficult, complex, and dangerous patients. Provides leadership in hiring of new staff members for each program, which may include constructing job announcement(s), preparing functional statements, rating applications, interviewing, and selecting final job candidates. Resolves conflicts among staff (both leadership and line staff) and adjudicates complaints and problems of employees in a timely and effective manner. Assumes responsibility for taking appropriate disciplinary actions for employees with performance problems in a timely and effective manner. Initiates performance awards for outstanding employees and completes administrative paperwork with both accuracy and timeliness. Allocates resources within Programs, based on a data-driven decision-making process with consideration given to the overall needs of the organization and Service Line. Oversees and collaborates with Team Leaders/Program Managers on program development initiatives to optimally and most efficiently meet the evolving clinical care needs. Develops individualized mental health treatment plans for assigned patients. Administers and interprets standardized measures to assess patient outcomes and progress. Provides counseling and education to patients, families, and caregivers on mental health. Provides ongoing consultation and education to staff nurses, medical team, and student trainees. Provides mental health consultation to other disciplines/services and the medicine wards. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 609550 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Jillana.Martinez@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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 Qualifications 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. 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. Education Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; OR Hold a master's or doctoral degree in related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling & 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, & 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 must hold a full, current, & unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor. Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Care Line Manager/VISN/National), GS-14 - Program Manager Leadership Assignments Experience, Education and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, 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. GS-13 KSAs 1. Ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management. 2. Ability to monitor program outcomes using data driven quality assurance process. 3. Ability to develop productivity standards appropriate to each service provided. 4. Ability to manage a wide range of programs which include the operation and management of key clinical, training or administrative programs. Preferred Experience: VA experience preferred. Understanding of Behavorial Health Interdsiciplinary Program (BHIP) with the VA. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor, as the position requires sitting, standing, and walking. A high level of self-awareness is essential. Work, divided between office and clinical settings, is primarily sedentary. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Requires carrying light items, such as books, files, or laptop computer. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.