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

Are you a dedicated mental health professional looking for a role that combines clinical complexity with a deep sense of purpose? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently hiring for a Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) at the Shawnee Community Based Outpatient Clinic. This is an exceptional opportunity to serve those who have served our country while working within one of the most respected healthcare networks in the United States.

Job Responsibilities

In this role, you will serve as a senior clinician handling a diverse caseload of Veterans with complex needs. Your daily responsibilities will include:

Diagnosing complex mental disorders and developing personalized treatment plans.
Facilitating individual, group, and family psychotherapy.
Managing crisis situations and providing triage interventions.
Mentoring and providing clinical supervision to unlicensed staff and trainees.
Developing behavioral health training curricula for clinical staff.
Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care and social service referrals.

Requirements

To be eligible for this GS-12 level position, candidates must meet specific criteria:

Education: A master's or doctoral degree in a related mental health field from a CACREP-accredited program.
Licensure: A full, current, and unrestricted license to practice independently.
Experience: At least five years of post-licensed mental health counseling experience.
Proficiency: Must be fluent in written and spoken English.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Feature	Requirement Detail
Position Level	GS-12 (Senior)
License Type	Independent Practice Level
Education Path	CACREP Accredited
Work Schedule	Full-time, Mon-Fri

Salary Overview

This position is classified at the GS-12 level, offering a competitive salary range of $89,508 to $116,362 per year. Federal employees also benefit from a structured step-increase system and the potential for leave accrual credit based on prior professional or military experience.

Benefits

Working with the VA means more than just a paycheck. You will gain access to:

Robust federal health, dental, and vision insurance.
Excellent retirement savings options including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Stable, predictable schedules allowing for true work-life balance.
Access to professional development opportunities and continuing education.

Application Tips

Be Explicit: Federal recruiters cannot assume experience. If you performed a duty in a past role, list it clearly with dates and hours worked per week.
Focus on KSAs: Review the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities mentioned in the job posting and ensure your resume reflects your proficiency in these specific areas.
License Documentation: Ensure your current, unrestricted license is clearly highlighted as one of the first things a recruiter sees.

If you are an experienced counselor ready to take the next step in your career, the Shawnee Community Based Outpatient Clinic offers the perfect blend of clinical challenge and mission-based fulfillment. Apply today to contribute to the high standard of care our Veterans deserve.

Why This Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Job Matters

Advance your clinical career while serving our nation's heroes in Shawnee, Oklahoma—where expert mental health practice meets a community-focused mission.

Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Job Overview

The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is seeking a dedicated Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) to join our team at the Shawnee Community Based Outpatient Clinic. In this pivotal role, you will provide advanced psychotherapy, conduct complex psychosocial assessments, and serve as a clinical leader for trainees and staff. This position offers the unique opportunity to integrate evidence-based practices into a compassionate, veteran-centered care environment while enjoying the vibrant, family-friendly culture of the Oklahoma City metro area.

Requirements for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health

United States Citizenship.
Master's or doctoral degree in a mental health counseling field from a CACREP-accredited program.
Full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor.
Five years of post-licensed clinical experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and expertise.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Completion of the required background and security investigation.
Participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Ability to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.

Preferred Qualifications for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health

Expertise in complex mental illness treatment and differential diagnosis.
Proven experience in providing clinical supervision for licensure or specialty certifications.
Background in designing system-wide clinical process improvements based on data analytics.
Advanced skills in evidence-based individual, group, and family psychotherapeutic modalities.
Capacity to provide subject matter expertise to multidisciplinary teams.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary and annual leave accrual based on service.
✓Comprehensive federal health insurance and retirement plans.
✓Opportunities for professional development and research participation.
✓Stable Monday-Friday schedule (8:00am - 4:30pm).
✓Access to a teaching hospital environment with state-of-the-art technology.
✓Situational telework flexibility.

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

Application Steps for Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Review the specific requirements and prepare a long-form resume or CV detailing your counseling experience and duties.
Gather necessary documentation, including professional licenses, transcripts, and any applicable veterans' preference documents (DD-214, SF-15).
Complete the online occupational questionnaire via the application link.
Submit your full application package before the closing date of November 10, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Be extremely detailed in your resume; list specific dates (month/year) and hours worked per week for every position.
Ensure your license status is clearly documented, as this is a strict requirement for the GS-183 series.
Double-check that your transcripts are from a U.S. Department of Education-accredited institution.
If claiming veterans' preference, ensure all supporting documentation, such as a legible DD-214, is uploaded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this senior-level position?

The Senior LPMHC focuses on treating Veterans with complex needs, performing advanced diagnostic and psychotherapeutic work, and mentoring unlicensed staff or trainees.

Is telework available for this role?

Yes, the position offers situational (ad-hoc) telework, though it is not a fully remote or virtual position.

What happens if I lose my license during my tenure?

Maintaining a full, valid, and unrestricted license is a condition of employment. Failure to maintain licensure will result in removal from the occupation and potential termination.

What is the trial period mentioned in the job description?

*A: The VA requires a 1 or 2-year trial period to evaluate the fitness of new employees to ensure they meet the needs of the agency and public interest.*

Can I apply if my license is from a different state?

*A: Generally, you must hold a license that allows for independent practice. Check the specific VA qualification standards for guidance on cross-state licensure requirements.*

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is committed to fulfilling the promise made by President Lincoln: "To care for him who shall have served in our nation's military." Operating a 192-bed facility and serving over 81,000 Veterans, the VA provides a high-acuity environment where clinical and administrative professionals can thrive. Our facility emphasizes research, education, and state-of-the-art care, making it an ideal professional home for those who value growth and community.