This position is located within the (VHA), VA Augusta Health Care System Mental Health Service, in the Substance Use Recovery Center (SURC). The Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) practices independently at the advanced licensure level and provides professional counseling, diagnostic evaluations, treatment planning, and recovery-oriented interventions to Veterans experiencing substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Duties to include but not limited to: Independently provides specialized counseling services for Veterans with SUD, co-occurring mental health diagnoses, and complex psychosocial needs. Delivers recovery-focused interventions aimed at increasing motivation, enhancing coping skills, reducing use, preventing relapse, and supporting long-term recovery.
Uses advanced clinical judgment to assess withdrawal risk, overdose risk, trauma exposure, psychosocial instability, legal issues, and other factors that impact recovery. Conducts detailed biopsychosocial assessments including substance use history, treatment experiences, strengths, barriers, and readiness for change. Provides diagnostic impressions within LPMHC professional scope, integrating co-occurring mental health and SUD considerations.
Evaluates complex multiple causation (psychological, social, medical, environmental) to determine individualized treatment needs. Develops individualized treatment plans encompassing relapse-prevention strategies, recovery goals, risk-mitigation plans, counseling modalities, and interdisciplinary coordination.
Determines appropriate use of VA and community resources, including detoxification services, residential SUD programs, psychosocial rehabilitation, MAT support, peer services, and sober-living environments.
Provides consultation and recommendations to interdisciplinary team members, community partners, and other clinical providers regarding assessment findings and care strategies Provides individual, group, and family counseling using evidence-based modalities for SUD (MI, CBT-SUD, harm-reduction approaches, contingency management where appropriate, relapse-prevention curricula).
Facilitates structured SUD groups, psychoeducation classes, early recovery skills groups, and therapeutic workshops. Encourages Veterans and families to explore concerns, evaluate consequences of substance use, consider alternatives, and develop plans for recovery. Coordinates referrals to community or VA resources such as halfway houses, shelters, residential treatment facilities, and vocational/educational programs.
Participates in SURC program development, evaluation of treatment effectiveness, creation of clinical guidelines, and improvement of service delivery. Uses outcome measures, practice-based evidence, peer review, and case-conference participation to evaluate and improve clinical practice. Adjusts treatment plans based on ongoing assessment, clinical response, and changing Veteran needs.
Educates Veterans and family/significant others on substance use, mental health conditions, relapse prevention strategies, coping skills, and recovery planning. Provides orientation and training to new LPMHCs, Social Workers, and interdisciplinary team members. Serves as a mentor to less-experienced counselors and provides clinical support to trainees, interns, and students.
Educates interdisciplinary staff on psychosocial dynamics, SUD impact, recovery principles, and counseling approaches. Independently documents assessments, diagnostics, treatment plans, process notes, safety plans, case consultations, referrals, and follow-up care in electronic and paper formats according to VA and clinic standards. Ensures documentation reflects expert diagnosis, ethical counseling practices, and clear justification for treatment decisions.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm; subject to change based upon agency needs EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Lakita Bush VHAEDRPPROGRAMSUPPORT@VA.GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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/.
christie.lowery@va.gov · 205-554-7112
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $89508 – $116362/yr.
Applications close on 2026-10-23.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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