Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities Member of the Outpatient Substance Use Disorders Program(OSATP) and leads the program's response to identifying, training and implementing evidence-based treatments for stimulant use disorders within and outside of the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL). Duties of this position are, but not limited to: Subject matter expert in treating Stimulant Use Disorders and provides consultation to staff within and outside of the OSATP team and the Mental Health Service Line. This position is 10% administrative. Expert and lead implementer in the Contingency Management (CM) program within OSATP. Incumbent is tasked with overseeing daily operations of the CM program and ensuring staff are trained and utilizing CM when appropriate and identifying additional clinical settings where CM is appropriate to implement. Works closely with OSATP Program Coordinator to ensure implementation efforts are successful for evidence-based treatments related to stimulant use disorders. Tracks CM utilization efforts and outcomes according to the national CM program directive and works closely with CESATE to ensure evidence-based implementation is adhered to. Incumbent tracks and educates on trends with stimulant use disorder data throughout the Iowa City VA catchment area, Midwest and nationally to ensure staff have up-to-date knowledge of types of stimulant use and up and coming evidence-based treatments to treat Stimulant Use Disorders effectively. Utilizes data dashboards to monitor Iowa City VA's progress in metrics targeting stimulant use disorders including but not limited to use of CBT-SUD, contingency management and naloxone kit distributions to Veterans who use stimulants. Provides specialized individual, group and family evidence-based psychotherapy for co-occurring Substance Use and other mental health disorders. Participate and complete training in several evidence-based therapies, included but not limited to Contingency Management, COPE, CBT-SUD, couples therapy for substance use disorders and provides training and consultation to other staff within the service line. Provides training and consultation to staff and trainees on evidence-based psychotherapies available for stimulant use disorders and demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff and students in the complex specialty area of practice and to provide supervision for licensure. May also provide supervision for specialty certifications. Crisis counseling to veterans and their families who present with acute problems and needs including suicidal or homicidal ideations. Screens for such crises and implement appropriate protocol and treatment. Collects, analyzes and monitors data outcomes to determine treatment efficacy for programs within OSATP. Incumbent oversees implementation and analysis of measurement-based care and focuses on implementation, process improvements and program development based on data and program needs. Performs specialized treatment of highly complex physical or mental illness in group, individual and family therapy. Incumbent incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of veteran patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. High level of skill and expertise to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with veterans in the mental health clinic and/or their families. Independently works with veterans and their families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems. Complete thorough biopsychosocial assessments to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans and/or their families. The incumbent must be able to utilize this assessment in facilitating the veteran's maximum use of treatment for attainment of the highest level of independence that is possible and practicable. Document the ASAM patient placement criteria in order to determine appropriate level of substance abuse treatment for the client. Must possess knowledge and ability to independently implement a variety of treatment modalities. Administers psychological instruments including but not limited to Audit/DAST and Brief Addiction Monitor, BDI-II, BAI, PCL in order to measure progress and effectiveness of treatment as well as monitor and improve treatment based on the individual client's current needs. Completes clinical documentation according to OSATP and medical center standards. Documentation is clinically appropriate and thorough, and demonstrates the components of treatment considered the standard of care. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAVISN23EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education - Master's or doctoral degree in one of the following: 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 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling. Licensure - Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. NOTE: Applicants pending the completion of the licensure requirement may be selected (GS-09 only) and given up to a three-year temporary appointment. Grandfather Provision: An LPMHC employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (4/3/2018) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-11) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirements. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Coordinator), GS-12: 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-11 grade level. Experience must have been in a major specialty treatment program area such as, but not limited to, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mental health intensive case management (MHICM), or other areas of equivalent scope and complexity. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Assignments. LPMHC Program Coordinators are administratively responsible for a clinical program and provide treatment to patients in a major specialty. They manage the daily operations of the program, develop policies and procedures, and prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. They may supervise unlicensed graduate LPMHCs and may administratively manage any employees assigned to their program. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: In depth knowledge of the program coordinated, and demonstrated knowledge and ability to write policies procedures and or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to make key decisions in the hiring and identification of top candidates. Ability to provide leadership in facilitating the process of coordinating program consults, assessments, admissions, care assignments and discharges. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to other colleagues and trainees within the field of counseling working on an interdisciplinary team. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Qualification Standard Preferred Experience: Experience working with SUD population, evidence based therapies, individual and group therapy. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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 The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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.