Advance Your Career as a Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
Are you a seasoned clinician looking to combine your passion for mental health with the honor of serving those who have served our country? The VA Western Colorado Health Care System is seeking a Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to provide essential care at our Montrose location.
Job Responsibilities
As a Senior LPMHC within the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) team, your duties are both administrative and clinical:
- Triage and Assessment: Conduct brief, functional assessments for substance use and mental health concerns.
- Direct Patient Care: Provide time-limited, evidence-based interventions (1-6 sessions) in both group and individual formats.
- Consultation: Act as a subject matter expert for primary care providers and the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).
- Supervision: Provide mentorship and clinical supervision to trainees and junior staff.
Requirements
To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Education: Master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant counseling field from a CACREP-accredited program.
- Licensure: Hold a current, full, and unrestricted license.
- Experience: Minimum of five years of post-licensed professional experience.
Salary Overview and Comparison
This position is designated at the GS-12 level. Below is a breakdown of the compensation and professional expectations.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary Range | $95,770 - $124,504 per year |
| Pay Scale | GS-12 |
| Schedule | Monday - Friday (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) |
| Location | Montrose, Colorado |
Benefits
The VA provides a robust federal benefits package including comprehensive medical insurance, federal retirement programs, and generous paid time off. Additionally, you will benefit from working in a system that values continuing education and evidence-based practice.
Application Tips
- Use the Required Template: Always use the specific clinical resume document provided by the VA to ensure your application is not rejected.
- Highlight Supervision: Since this is a senior role, clearly outline your experience in mentoring and supervising other clinicians.
- Early Submission: While the announcement closes in 2026, the agency begins reviewing applications at the first cutoff in August 2026. Submit your documents early to be included in the first round of referrals.
This role offers a unique opportunity to integrate mental health services directly into primary care. If you are ready to use your expertise to make a meaningful difference, we invite you to apply and join our mission at the VA Western Colorado Health Care System.
Why This Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Pcmhi Job Matters
Advance your clinical career while helping those who served. Join the VA Western Colorado Health Care System as a Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor and make a lasting impact in the lives of our nation's Veterans.
Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Pcmhi Job Overview
The VA Western Colorado Health Care System is seeking a dedicated Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to join our Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) team. Based in beautiful Montrose, Colorado, this role is designed for a skilled clinician ready to provide expert, brief, and evidence-based mental health interventions. You will serve as a vital link between primary care and specialized mental health, utilizing your advanced clinical judgment to triage and treat Veterans in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment.
Requirements for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Pcmhi
- U.S. Citizenship.
- Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
- Current, full, and unrestricted license to independently practice as an LPMHC.
- Five years of post-licensed clinical experience.
- Proven ability to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed staff.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English.
- Successful completion of a background/security investigation and drug testing.
- Compliance with annual influenza vaccination requirements.
Preferred Qualifications for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Pcmhi
- Experience in integrated or interdisciplinary care environments.
- Prior work experience with the Veteran population.
- Expertise in Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) and brief psychotherapy models.
- Familiarity with medical outpatient operations and system-wide clinical data management.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive federal salary with defined pay scales.
- ✓Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance plans.
- ✓Generous annual leave and sick leave accrual.
- ✓Federal retirement benefits including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
- ✓Opportunities for professional development and clinical supervision training.
- ✓Work-life balance with standard Monday-Friday scheduling.
💡 How to Apply Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Pcmhi Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Pcmhi Job
- Review your eligibility and ensure you have all required documentation, including your resume and licensure.
- Visit the USAJOBS portal to create or update your profile.
- Complete the required occupational questionnaire.
- Upload your standard clinical resume and any relevant supporting documents such as transcripts or SF-50s.
- Submit your application package before the closing date of September 30, 2026.
💡 General Tips
- Ensure your resume clearly details your five years of post-licensed experience.
- Use the specific clinical resume template provided by the VA to ensure your application is processed correctly.
- Be specific about your volunteer or paid clinical experience; the VA does not make assumptions.
- Apply early; while the posting is open until September 2026, the first cutoff for review is August 10, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of the PCMHI role?
The PCMHI role focuses on providing brief, focused functional assessments and time-limited, evidence-based interventions in a primary care setting to ensure Veterans receive timely access to mental health services.
Is this a remote position?
No, this is not a virtual or remote position. The incumbent must be based at the Montrose, Colorado Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.
Job from Veterans Health Administration
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is dedicated to fulfilling President Lincoln's promise: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan." The VA Western Colorado Health Care System serves 37,000 Veterans, offering a wide spectrum of care from acute inpatient services to outpatient mental health support. Working with the VA provides not only professional fulfillment but also a high quality of life, particularly in the scenic Grand Junction and Montrose areas.