Advance Your Career as a Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor at the Augusta VA

Are you a seasoned mental health professional looking to combine your clinical expertise with a mission-driven career? The Augusta VA Healthcare System is seeking a dedicated Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to support our nation’s Veterans. This role offers the chance to provide high-impact, evidence-based care while mentoring the next generation of clinicians.

Job Responsibilities

As a Senior LPMHC, you will operate as an independent clinician within the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. Your daily responsibilities will include:

Conducting focused, functional biopsychosocial assessments.
Providing brief, evidence-based interventions for depression, anxiety, and stress.
Performing complex suicide risk evaluations and safety planning.
Serving as a mentor and supervisor for clinical staff and trainees.
Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless care coordination.

Requirements

To qualify for this GS-12 position, applicants must meet specific federal standards:

Education: Master’s or Doctorate from a CACREP-accredited counseling program.
Licensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice independently.
Experience: Minimum five years of post-licensed clinical experience demonstrating advanced judgment and competency.
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Feature	Detail
Salary Range	$89,508 – $116,362
Job Series	0183 (LPMHC)
Grade Level	GS-12
Location	Augusta, GA

Salary and Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, the VA offers a robust benefits package that supports both your career growth and your personal well-being:

EDRP: Potential eligibility for up to $200,000 in student loan repayment.
Time Off: Up to 50 days of paid leave (annual, sick, and federal holidays).
Parental Leave: 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents.
Retirement: Federal pension and 401k-style Thrift Savings Plan with matching.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via USAJOBS. Be sure to use the required VA clinical resume template to ensure your application is processed correctly. All supporting documentation—including your current license and transcripts—must be uploaded before the June 30, 2026, deadline.

The Senior LPMHC role at the Augusta VA is more than just a job; it is a commitment to excellence in Veteran care. If you are ready to elevate your clinical practice and support those who have served, we encourage you to apply today.

Why This Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Job Matters

Advance your clinical career at the Augusta VA: Lead, mentor, and provide high-impact mental health care for our nation's heroes.

Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Job Overview

The Augusta VA Healthcare System is seeking an experienced Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to join our dynamic Mental Health Service. In this pivotal role, you will provide specialized, evidence-based care within the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. You will serve as a clinical leader, offering supervision to staff and trainees while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure Veterans receive compassionate, world-class behavioral health support.

Requirements for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

U.S. Citizenship (exceptions may apply per VA policy).
Master's or doctoral degree in a CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health or Rehabilitation Counseling program.
Current, full, and unrestricted state license to independently practice as an LPMHC.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
At least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 level.
Five years of post-licensed clinical experience.
Ability to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed staff.
Successful completion of a background/security investigation and trial period.

Preferred Qualifications for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

Demonstrated experience working within interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Expertise in brief, evidence-based interventions and focused assessment strategies.
Proven ability to serve as a subject matter expert and mentor for junior staff.
Advanced mastery of psychosocial and psychiatric diagnostic theories.
Experience in data-driven system development and quality improvement.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive salary with regular increases.
✓Generous paid time off: 13-26 days of annual leave and 13 days of sick leave annually.
✓11 Paid Federal Holidays per year.
✓Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility for qualified student loans.
✓Comprehensive federal health, vision, dental, and life insurance.
✓Federal retirement pension and 401k-style thrift savings plan with agency matching.
✓Childcare subsidy for eligible employees.

💡 How to Apply Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Job

Create or log in to your USAJOBS account.
Download and complete the required clinical resume template.
Gather your supporting documents, including your license, transcripts, and any applicable veteran preference forms (DD-214/SF-15).
Complete the online occupational questionnaire.
Submit your full application package before the deadline of June 30, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Be specific in your resume—detail your clinical experience in terms of complexity and outcomes; do not assume the recruiter knows your scope.
Ensure you use the specified clinical resume template to avoid disqualification.
Clearly highlight your post-licensure experience and supervision history.
Check your USAJOBS dashboard regularly to monitor your status once the vacancy closes.
Double-check that all uploaded documents are legible and current.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this position eligible for loan repayment?

Yes, this position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which may provide reimbursement up to $200,000 for qualifying student loans.

Can I work remotely?

No, this is not a virtual position; it requires presence at the Augusta VA Healthcare System.

What is the primary focus of this role?

The focus is on providing high-level clinical counseling and supervision within the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program.

What is the trial period?

As a condition of federal employment, you will serve a 1 or 2-year trial period to evaluate performance and agency fit.

Is there flexibility in the work schedule?

The position is standard Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to fulfilling President Lincoln's promise: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families." Working at the Augusta VA means joining a team dedicated to compassionate whole-health care, where your expertise helps address the complex mental health needs of our local Veteran population.