Advance Your Clinical Career: Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor at Memphis VA

Are you a seasoned mental health professional driven to make a tangible impact on the lives of those who have served our nation? The Memphis VA Medical Center is seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to join our team at the Chemical Dependency Center (CDC). This role represents a significant opportunity to engage in complex clinical practice, provide expert supervision, and lead programmatic improvements within a premier federal healthcare facility.

Job Responsibilities

As a Senior LPMHC, your daily responsibilities will be both challenging and rewarding. You will serve as a lead clinician, providing evidence-based psychotherapy, suicide risk assessments, and clinical consultations. Key responsibilities include:

Clinical Care: Delivering high-quality individual, family, and group psychotherapy (e.g., CBT, Motivational Interviewing) to patients with complex mental health needs.
Mentorship: Providing subject matter expertise and clinical supervision to trainees and junior staff members.
Leadership: Developing behavioral health training curricula and facilitating interprofessional team meetings.
Program Development: Collaborating with stakeholders to design and implement data-driven clinical programs.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following baseline federal requirements:

Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.
Education: A Master’s or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
Licensure: You must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor.
Experience: Candidates must possess at least five years of post-licensed experience and one year of complex counseling experience at a level equivalent to the GS-11 grade.

Salary Overview

This position is classified at the GS-12 grade level. The salary range for this role is between $89,508 and $116,362 per year, commensurate with your professional experience and federal pay standards.

Comparison of Benefits

Benefit	Description
Loan Repayment	EDRP eligibility up to $200,000 for qualifying loans
Leave Accrual	Creditable service can increase annual leave accrual rates
Insurance	Federal Health, Life, and Vision/Dental plans available
Retirement	FERS pension system and Thrift Savings Plan (401k match)

Benefits

The VA prioritizes employee well-being by offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes significant student loan assistance through the Education Debt Reduction Program, stable scheduling, and a clear path toward professional growth within the federal system.

Application Tips

To maximize your chances of success, ensure your documentation is thorough. Use the standard Clinical Resume template provided by the VA Careers website. When detailing your experience, be explicit about the number of hours worked per week and the specific clinical outcomes you achieved in previous roles.

If you are an experienced counselor ready to take the next step in your career while serving those who have served us, the Memphis VA invites you to apply. Your expertise will directly influence the quality of life for our Veterans and help shape the future of mental health care in the federal system.

Why This Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Chemical Dependency Center (Cdc) Job Matters

Make a lasting impact on the lives of those who served by providing expert, compassionate behavioral health care as a Senior Mental Health Counselor in vibrant Memphis.

Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Chemical Dependency Center (Cdc) Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a highly skilled Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to join the Chemical Dependency Center in Memphis, Tennessee. This pivotal role involves providing advanced clinical interventions, diagnostic assessments, and supervisory guidance to a diverse team. You will support a population of over 206,000 Veterans, working within a Level I Tertiary Care facility recognized for its commitment to excellence in whole-health care.

Requirements for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Chemical Dependency Center (Cdc)

Must be a United States Citizen.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a closely related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
Full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice mental health counseling.
At least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
Minimum of five years of post-licensed professional experience.
Must be eligible to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed staff.
Completion of a 1 or 2-year trial period.
Compliance with annual seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Preferred Qualifications for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Chemical Dependency Center (Cdc)

Demonstrated mastery in complex mental health treatment modalities.
Expertise in differential diagnosis and treatment planning for co-occurring disorders.
Experience in clinical program development, data-driven quality improvement, and curriculum design.
Proven track record of effective interprofessional collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Ability to provide expert mentorship and professional consultation within a multidisciplinary medical environment.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility (up to $200,000).
✓Federal retirement benefits.
✓Comprehensive health insurance options.
✓Annual leave accrual based on prior work or military experience.
✓Professional development and training opportunities.
✓Structured, stable Monday-Friday schedule.

💡 How to Apply Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Chemical Dependency Center (Cdc) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor-Chemical Dependency Center (Cdc) Job

Create or log into your account at USAJOBS.
Review the full job announcement and required documentation.
Download the standard Clinical Resume Document from the provided VA careers link.
Prepare your full professional CV/Resume.
Complete the occupational questionnaire accurately.
Upload all required documentation, including licensure and transcripts.
Submit your application package before the closing date.

💡 General Tips

Be specific: Ensure your resume clearly states your duties, job titles, and the number of hours worked per week.
Use the template: The VA requires a specific clinical resume document format; ensure this is uploaded in the designated field.
Document everything: Include all relevant transcripts, SF-50s if you are a current federal employee, and proof of Veterans' preference if applicable.
Check for status updates regularly within the USAJobs portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) available for this position?

Yes, this position is eligible for the EDRP. Interested applicants should contact the EDRP Coordinator at [email protected] for details.

What is the work schedule for this position?

This is a full-time, non-virtual position with a schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Can I apply if my professional license is not yet independent?

Per VHA policy, any counselor who does not have a license allowing for independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner who is a current VA staff member.

What is the clinical setting like in Memphis?

You will work in a high-complexity facility, which offers significant opportunities for professional growth and exposure to diverse cases.

Is relocation assistance provided?

Relocation incentives are not authorized for this specific vacancy.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to providing world-class, compassionate healthcare to our nation’s Veterans. The Memphis VA Medical Center is a tertiary care facility classified as a Clinical Referral Level I location, serving over 206,000 Veterans across Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Located in the birthplace of the blues, the facility blends Southern hospitality with cutting-edge medical care, offering a supportive environment where your clinical expertise is valued.