Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (MHIS Program Manager) - EDRP Approved

JobSummary

This position is eligible for 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.

LowGrade

13

HighGrade

13

PromotionPotential

None

SubAgencyName

Texas Valley Coastal Bend VA Health Care System

OrganizationCodes

VA/VATA

Relocation

False

HiringPath

• fed-competitive
• fed-excepted
• fed-internal-search
• public

MCOTags

AgencyMarketingStatement

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans? VA TEXAS VALLEY COASTAL BEND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM The VATVCBHCS is comprised of the Corpus Christi Outpatient Clinic, Corpus Christi Specialty Clinic, Harlingen Outpatient Clinic, Health Care Center at Harlingen, Laredo Outpatient Clinic, and McAllen Outpatient Clinic. The VATVCBHCS is an ambulatory health care system providing health care in medicine, surgery, psychiatry, and rehabilitation medicine. The VATVCBHCS also operates a 100-patient Home Based Primary Care program and a 200-patient Care Coordination Home Tele-Health Program. Through the utilization of inpatient/emergency department contracts, approximately 2600 inpatient admission and 5800 ER visits are managed by VATVCBHCS. Affiliated with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Medical School, the system has an active ambulatory care program and serves as a teaching and training site for medical residents. The VATVCBHCS is responsible for an enrollee population of over 30,000 veterans and 350,000 outpatient visits annually.

TravelCode

1

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

• This announcement will remain open until filled. The first cutoff for consideration is 04/03/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. The Mental Health Integrated Services (MHIS) Program Manager is directly responsible to the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health (ACOS MH) and coordinates programmatically with Chief of Psychology as needed. The incumbent assists in planning, establishing, and implementing policies and procedures for the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Program, Health Behavior Coordination (HBC), Pain Psychology, Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Psychology, Urgent Care Mental Health Integration (UCMHI) programs, and other Mental Health Integration (MHI) programs; administratively and clinically supervising personnel across those programs; and developing individual or group goals and objectives as well as monitoring, operating, evaluating, coordinating, and overseeing mental health services delivered under those programs for the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS). The PCMHI program includes clinical and non-clinical staff from multiple disciplines including direct report supervisee psychologists, licensed professional mental health counselors, clinical social workers, and psychology technicians, as well as staff (mental health RN and clinical pharmacists) who are directly supervised through other services. The HBPC, HBC, and Pain staff currently include clinical psychologist direct reports, while the UCMHI clinicians are presently Social Workers or Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors. The incumbent works with the other MHIS supervisor to ensure all MHIS staff adhere to all current directives of VHA, and meet current Joint Commission standards, State licensure standards, and VA-OIG expectations. The incumbent will conduct ongoing intensive reviews and appraisals to ensure the accomplishment of objectives and adherence to standards set by governing and accreditation bodies. The incumbent also provides direct clinical services for a portion of his/her time. In addition, the MHIS Program Coordinator functions as a subject matter expert and leader within the health care system in issues that relate to the MHIS programs. The Program Manager: Exhibits leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups served through MHI programs that cross service and discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. The incumbent provides administrative, technical, and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of MHIS personnel. Assists with performance measure monitoring, evaluation, and action plans for program improvement/enhancement as well as accreditation reviews and pertinent site visits. Guides and oversees MHI services, determining staffing requirements and assignments in conjunction with members of treatment teams and staff areas where individual skills are best utilized. These duties include development of functional statements, position descriptions, and performance standards with service personnel as well as function as the professional expert relative to MHIS practice issues. Assists with directing operation and management of all clinical, training, and administrative needs within MHIS programs. Provides oversight of programmatic resources of MHIS programs, ensuring delivery of specialized, complex, and highly professional mental health services integrated with primary care and specialty medicine settings, which significantly impact the health care provided to Veterans. Works with all local medical center, health care center and community-based outpatient clinic leadership to meet site specific administrative and operational goals and may assume local leadership functions as necessary and as approved by ACOS for Mental Health. Works with ACOS Mental Health in identifying and prioritizing MHIS resource needs to include staffing and equipment needs of MHIS providers. As delegated, is responsible for the oversight of funds assigned to Psychology Section control points. Duties are continued in the Education Section of this announcement. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: This is an onsite position. Telework may be offered when deemed necessary by the department AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54669F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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/ 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. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CACREP website http://www.cacrep.org/directory/., you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: Performs the following duties related to the area of clinical guidance: Coordinates and monitors clinical training/development of staff who provide psychotherapy, mental health assessments, care management, and other psychosocial services within MHIS programs; and, Responsible for assessing, verifying, monitoring, and reporting on the clinical competency of staff providing these services; and, Considers and recommends staff members for further clinical training and development based on staff abilities, goals, and clinic operational needs. Performs the following duties related to the area of research and research integration into clinical practice: Guides MHIS staff in application of current psychological research to their clinical work; and, Encourages utilization of evidence-psychotherapy protocols; and, Encourages research activities deemed beneficial to VHA patient care of Veterans or to clinical and health care system operations. Responsible and accountable for assisting the Chief of Psychology, the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health, the Chief of Staff, and the Director in planning, organizing, and coordinating all MHIS programs. The incumbent may be called on to act for other System-level Program Managers including serving as the Acting Chief of Psychology or Acting Chief of Staff for Mental Health. The incumbent performs the following duties related to practice evaluation and management including the following: Reviewing, analyzing, approving, or disapproving all new program developments or role changes within the MHIS programs; and, Presenting, interpreting, and implementing new policies and procedures or changes in the previous ones. The MHIS Program Coordinator orients, teaches, and serves as a consultant to Primary Care and Medical Care staff and trainees and assists in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients. The incumbent will provide leadership, guidance and consultation on staff education and development to all MHIS staff, as appropriate. The incumbent provides general and beneficial supervision for MHIS clinical staff and participates in the performance appraisal process for all directly supervised clinical, support, and administrative staff. Incumbent completes the following management system; and, Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system; and, Observes employee performance and conducts work performance critiques in accordance with performance expectations, which includes FPPEs and OPPEs or clinical competencies; and, Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance formally; and, Exercises supervisory authorities and responsibilities involving work assignments; and, Reviews the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised; and, Incumbent recommends awards and changes in position classification to the Chief of Psychology Section or the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health and approves expenses such as within-grade increases, compensatory time, and employee travel. The incumbent performs the following remedying actions: Resolves informal complaints and grievances; and, Establishes and executes performance improvement plans; and, Makes personnel recommendations; and, Enforces disciplinary measures as appropriate to delegated authority and in coordination with Human Resource Management Service (HRMS) and appropriate Union representatives; and, Hears and resolves complaints voiced by MHIS staff and works to resolve issues involving staff, including committee chairs, supervisors, and managers within the appropriate services; and, Duties are continued in the Additional Information Section.

Requirements

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.

Evaluations

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

HowToApply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/30/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12922450. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

WhatToExpectNext

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

RequiredDocuments

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Resume/CV Other (2) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Benefits

This position is posted to multiple occupations: Psychology Program Manager (MHIS): - CAZM-12922449-26-JRH: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/863112400 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (MHIS Program Manager) - CAZM-12922450-26-JRH: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/863113600 Social Worker (MHIS Program Coordinator): - CAZM-12922451-26-JRH: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/863114100

BenefitsUrl

http://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.asp

OtherInformation

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. Duties Continued: Responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by adhering to non-discriminatory employment practices regarding race, color, religion, and sex for the area under incumbent supervision: Merit promotion of employees and recruitment and hiring of applicants; and, Fair treatment of all employees; and, Encouragement and recognition of employee achievements; and, Career development of employees; and, Full utilization of their skills. Performs the following operational duties: Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests; and, Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of safety regulations as appropriate for general and area specific operations; and, Reviewing and assuring that the documentation of the assigned staff reflects the services provided and meets TJC, Health Care System, and mental health documentation standards. The incumbent performs the following duties related to the area of mentoring: Provides work related to advice and counsel to employees with purpose of further developing careers of subordinates as deemed appropriate by incumbent and in line with employees' clinical disciplines and practice areas. Direct Clinical Service: As a licensed, practicing clinical Mental Health Counselor, the MHIS Program Manager is responsible for the assessment, identification, facilitation, referral and linkage to appropriate medical, psychotherapeutic, and psychiatric services for Veterans identified as eligible for services.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

02

AnnouncementClosingType

01

AgencyContactEmail

VISN17SSUUSAS@va.gov

SecurityClearance

Other

DrugTestRequired

False

PositionSensitivitiy

Moderate Risk (MR)

AdjudicationType

• Credentialing