Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Smyrna, GA, United States
Overview
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, which determines the award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years), is issued by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after a complete review of the application.
Qualifications
Applicants pending 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 be appointed only if qualified citizens cannot be recruited (see VA Handbook 5005).
English language proficiency – spoken and written, in accordance with VA Handbook 5005.
Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
A related field accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Examples of related fields: Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, Marital – Couple – and Family Counseling.
Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor – which includes diagnosis and treatment. For GS‑9 level, licensure may be waived if state prerequisites are pending.
For GS‑9 level, unlicensed LPMHCs must be completing licensure prerequisites and must work under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance level.
Qualification under the Grandfathering Provision (if applicable to current VHA employees).
Experience:
GS‑9 (Entry Level) – less than one year of post‑master’s experience or unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS‑9 level who have completed required education.
GS‑11 (Full Performance Level) – at least one year of post‑master’s or post‑doctoral mental health counseling experience (VA or non‑VA) and licensure at the independent practice level.
Demonstrate competencies (KSA’s) required for the position, including intake, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and use of DSM and evidence‑based interventions.
Basic computer skills for drafting documents, data management, and use of VHA software.
Knowledge of statutory, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional counseling practice.
Physical and Workplace Requirements
Typical for the occupation – may require standing, lifting, carrying, bending, pulling, and pushing.
May require personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing.
Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with normal safety precautions, adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation.
Ability to handle multiple tasks under occasionally stressful conditions.
Duties
Recruitment/relocation incentive may be offered to highly qualified candidate(s).
The announcement remains open until July 7, 2026, or until all positions are filled.
Initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications: April 15, 2026; subsequent cut‑off dates as vacancies arise.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) assigned to the Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service at the James A. Haley VA Healthcare System.
Provide a full range of evaluation and psychotherapeutic clinical services to Veterans with challenging and complex psychiatric and substance abuse problems, family members and caregivers. Services include:
Evaluations and screenings
Individual, family, and group therapy
Evidence‑based therapies and psychoeducation
Case management and treatment planning
Consultation and crisis management
Consult professionally with staff and community providers to coordinate care.
Adhere to VA operational policies, performance measures, electronic health record documentation procedures, and timeliness standards.
Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am‑4:30 pm. Telework and virtual work are not applicable.
Relocation/recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates in accordance with agency policy.
EDRP authorized: former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentives.
Contact
V8_EDRP_Tampa@va.gov
– the EDRP Coordinator for questions and assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) not authorized.
Additional Information
For more information on qualification standards, see https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, which determines the award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years), is issued by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after a complete review of the application.
Qualifications
Applicants pending 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 be appointed only if qualified citizens cannot be recruited (see VA Handbook 5005).
English language proficiency – spoken and written, in accordance with VA Handbook 5005.
Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
A related field accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Examples of related fields: Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, Marital – Couple – and Family Counseling.
Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor – which includes diagnosis and treatment. For GS‑9 level, licensure may be waived if state prerequisites are pending.
For GS‑9 level, unlicensed LPMHCs must be completing licensure prerequisites and must work under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance level.
Qualification under the Grandfathering Provision (if applicable to current VHA employees).
Experience:
GS‑9 (Entry Level) – less than one year of post‑master’s experience or unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS‑9 level who have completed required education.
GS‑11 (Full Performance Level) – at least one year of post‑master’s or post‑doctoral mental health counseling experience (VA or non‑VA) and licensure at the independent practice level.
Demonstrate competencies (KSA’s) required for the position, including intake, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and use of DSM and evidence‑based interventions.
Basic computer skills for drafting documents, data management, and use of VHA software.
Knowledge of statutory, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional counseling practice.
Physical and Workplace Requirements
Typical for the occupation – may require standing, lifting, carrying, bending, pulling, and pushing.
May require personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing.
Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with normal safety precautions, adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation.
Ability to handle multiple tasks under occasionally stressful conditions.
Duties
Recruitment/relocation incentive may be offered to highly qualified candidate(s).
The announcement remains open until July 7, 2026, or until all positions are filled.
Initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications: April 15, 2026; subsequent cut‑off dates as vacancies arise.
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) assigned to the Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service at the James A. Haley VA Healthcare System.
Provide a full range of evaluation and psychotherapeutic clinical services to Veterans with challenging and complex psychiatric and substance abuse problems, family members and caregivers. Services include:
Evaluations and screenings
Individual, family, and group therapy
Evidence‑based therapies and psychoeducation
Case management and treatment planning
Consultation and crisis management
Consult professionally with staff and community providers to coordinate care.
Adhere to VA operational policies, performance measures, electronic health record documentation procedures, and timeliness standards.
Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am‑4:30 pm. Telework and virtual work are not applicable.
Relocation/recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates in accordance with agency policy.
EDRP authorized: former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentives.
Contact
V8_EDRP_Tampa@va.gov
– the EDRP Coordinator for questions and assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) not authorized.
Additional Information
For more information on qualification standards, see https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
#J-18808-Ljbffr