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 program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities 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 EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator at VISN17EDRP2@va.gov 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). 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). 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. GS-13 LPMHC (Program Manager) Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-13 you must possess 1 year of progressively complex LPMHC experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. To be equivalent to GS-12, experience must also have been earned while being fully licensed as a Mental Health Counselor by a U.S. State or Territory. Advanced knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex mental illness. Ability to incorporate 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. Ability to determine priority of services needed and provide specialized treatment. Advanced and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities for Veterans with complex needs. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling, or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial, and/or case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans. Ability to coordinate the delivery of specialized psychosocial services and programs. Ability to design system changes based on data. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the psychosocial treatment of patients, rendering professional opinions based on experience, expertise and role modeling effective clinical skills. Ability to teach, mentor staff and trainees, and provide supervision for licensure or for specialty certifications. Ability to engage in written and oral communication with leadership/staff and community stakeholders regarding policies, procedures, practice guidelines, and issues pertaining to the practice of the profession. Ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management. Ability to monitor program outcomes using data driven quality assurance process. Ability to develop productivity standards appropriate to each service provided. Ability to manage a wide range of programs which include the operation and management of key clinical, training or administrative programs. Preferred Experience: Experience organizing work, setting priorities, delegating tasks, and meeting multiple deadlines. Experience utilizing evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines, particularly in PCMHI setting. Experience supervising others in the use of evidence-based practice guidelines. Experience working effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Experience in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives. Experience in translating management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. Experience establishing and monitoring production and performance priorities and standards. Experience in analyzing organizational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement 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/ 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. Additional Information 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.
