Marriage and Family Therapist

SummaryThis position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.QualificationsBasic Requirements:United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationCandidates must meet one of the following:(1)Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE -(2)Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution - OR -(3)Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in a comparable mental health degree (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Social Work - Psychiatric Nursing - Psychology - and Psychiatry) that meets the current VA qualification standard of that professionLicensurePersons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0182 series in VHA must hold a full - current - and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a StateException: The Secretary - or his/her designee - may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of State prerequisites for licensure examinations for a period not to exceed three years from the date of employment on the condition that MFTs appointed on this basis provide care only under the supervision of a fully licensed MFT with an AAMFT approved licenseNon-licensed MFTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given an appointment as an MFT under the authority of 38 U.S.C.7401(3)This exception only applies at the entry grade level (GS-9)For grades at or above the full performance level - the candidate must be licensedMay qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Grade Determinations: Marriage and Family Therapist GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience - Education and LicensureIn addition to the basic requirements - the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-master's degree experience in the field of marriage and family therapy work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure in a State at the independent practice levelIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph belowOR - In addition to the basic requirements - a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable degree in mental health that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Social Work - Psychiatric Nursing - Psychology - and Psychiatry) may be substituted for the required one year of marriage and family therapy experience in a clinical settingAND the candidate must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and they must demonstrate the following KSADemonstrated KSAsIn addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-09 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members2Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals - groups - couples and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing the client system3Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Veterans and their families - colleagues - and other professionals in collaboration throughout treatment regarding clinical - ethical and legal issues and concerns4Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes - case law - ethical codes - regulations and VA policies affecting the practice of marriage and family therapyThis includes the ability to assist Veterans and their families in making informed decisions relevant to treatment to include limits of confidentiality5Ability to provide orientation - training and consultation to new MFTs including clinical oversight of MFT graduate students - and/or provide clinical supervision to pre-licensure MFTs6Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents - data management - maintaining accurate - timely and thorough clinical documentation - and tracking quality improvementsReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.DutiesThe Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is a member of the Behavioral Health Service Line (BHSL) and functions within the outpatient Mental Health Clinic - an interdisciplinary program - at the Junction City CBOCThe incumbent provides program screenings and a full range of psychosocial assessments for diagnosis and treatment planning - evidence and recovery-based groups and individual/couple/family psychotherapy - client centered mental health recovery plans - care management - and other clinical servicesThe incumbent is assigned a tour of duty compatible with the needs of the program and may include weekends and holidaysday and evening toursAdditional and/or collateral duties may be assigned by the MFT Program Manager - Chief of Psychology - and/or Behavioral Health Service Line Manager (BH SLM)Duties to include:Clinical Responsibilities: 1Provide a full range of assessment - providing formal diagnosis of mental disorders using DSM-5-TR criteria and determination of psychosocial functioning and needs of the Veteran - with collaborative input from family members - partners - and other identified supports2Provide psychosocial and mental health education to patients - family members - partners - and other identified supports3Provide comprehensive recovery and psychotherapeutic interventions - including individual - family - and group psychotherapy - and including tele-mental health services - based on research and family systems theory4Provide consultation to professional staff within the VA Medical Center and other stakeholder concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients5Develop - implement - and document the psychotherapeutic treatment recovery plan for an assigned caseload of patients - including prompt completion of clinical reminders and program measurement-based care instruments6Functions at the VA Medical Center - and assumes professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings - patient care decisions - and documentation7Family Services are delivered in compliance with VHA Directive 1163.04 Family ServicesAdministrative Responsibilities: 1May assist LMFT Program Manager and Behavioral Health Service Line Manager (BHSLM)in the design - development - and implementation of clinical programs for a team of treatment providers2May assist the Chief of Psychology and BHSLM in the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical program3Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services4Complies with national and local performance measures - including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients5Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures - including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g. - entering diagnostic and procedure codes)6Complies with and participates in peer review - Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations (OPPE) - Focused Professional Practice Evaluations (FPPE) - and/or recommendations from the Professional Standards Board (PSB)7Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by the LMFT Program Manager - Mental Health Clinic Program Manager - Assistant Chief of Psychology - and the Chief of Behavioral Health - and other meetings as assigned to participate8Attend regular Psychology Service staff meetings - Medical staff meetings - and Behavioral Health Service Line staff meetingsOther Responsibilities: 1May serve on Medical Center or healthcare system - VISN - and/or National VA committees or task forces2May represent the Medical Center at professional community group/events and committees - in conferences/meetings with higher ranking managers - supervisors - and staff from other disciplines or work units - and/or with representatives of local public interest groups - congressional district offices and employees of State and local governments3May prepare Issue Briefs and responses to Congressional inquiries as neededWork Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 Marriage and Family Therapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VISN15EDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized