Marriage and Family Therapist (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program)

VA HPT's pending the completion of education or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Education - Master's or doctoral degree in one of the following: Marriage and Family Therapy from a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), OR Marriage and Family Therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR 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 profession.

Licensure - Must hold full, current, and unrestricted Marriage and Family Therapy license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a state or pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. GS-9 Only: VA may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 3 years for a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed MFT who is at or above the full performance level.

Failure to become licensed within three years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0182 MFT series and may result in termination of employment. May 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

GS-09 MFT (Entry Level) Requirements: Along with meeting the basic education requirements for this position you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of human development throughout the lifespan, interventions based on research and family systems theory and therapy, formal diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice and assessment tools. Ability to assess, with supervision, the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members.

Knowledge to formulate, implement, and re-evaluate a treatment plan through continuous assessment identifying the Veteran's challenges, strengths, readiness to change, external influences and current events surrounding the origins and maintenance of the presenting issue, and interactional patterns within the client system.

Ability to provide counseling and, or psychotherapy services, under supervision, to individuals, groups, couples and families in a manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing of the client system. Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy.

Ability to draft documents, manage data, maintain accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and track quality improvements.

GS-11 MFT (Full Performance Level) Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 you must have at least one year of post-master's degree experience in the field marriage and family therapy work (VA or non-VA experience) OR 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) which may be substituted for the required one year of marriage and family therapy experience in a clinical setting that demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members.

Ability to provide counseling and, or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups, couples and families that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing the client system. Ability 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 concerns.

Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, regulations and VA policies affecting the practice of marriage and family therapy. This includes the ability to assist Veterans and their families in making informed decisions relevant to treatment to include limits of confidentiality. Ability to provide orientation, training and consultation to new MFTs including clinical oversight of MFT graduate students, and/or provide clinical supervision to pre-licensure MFTs.

Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements.

Preferred Experience

VA or DOD experience Work experience in community settings Experience incorporating outcome measurement based care into treatment. Experience with evidence-based psychotherapies for individuals, groups, couples, and families Experience in case management in complex settings. Experience in outpatient general mental health clinics. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

The MFT assigned to BHIP is responsible for coordinating and providing specialty mental and health therapy with a focus on couples, families, individuals, and groups utilizing systemic health theories requiring expertise in interpersonal relationships with conceptualizations that are distinct from individually oriented therapies. The MFT conducts assessment interviews, develops treatment plans and provides treatment to eligible Veterans.

Treatment modalities may include crisis intervention, intake evaluations, outreach services as well as empirically based treatment for families, couples, and individuals with mental health disorders. The MFT may refer clients to other programs and professionals as appropriate. The MFT also participates in and provides consultations to other team members; participates in conjoint emergency treatment with medical facility mental health personnel.

The Marriage and Family Therapist: provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services which requires skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities. This includes individual, group, couples, and/or family psychotherapy as well as advanced level psychosocial and/or case management interventions used in treatment of Veterans with a range of DSM diagnoses, including substance abuse/dependence, family issues, and poly-traumatic injuries.

Utilizes knowledge of current professional marriage and family practices.

Experiences must have required use of knowledge, skills and abilities associated current professional marriage and family practice working with couples, families, individuals, and/or groups utilizing family systems theory/therapy as well as the ability to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. may be responsible for the clinical supervision of MFT's for licensing purposes only provided they have an AAMFT approved supervisor credential. may serve as the representative for Psychology Service on various Psychology Service, Mental Health Service Line, System or VISN administrative committees or work groups as assigned. provides subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in the specialty area, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective practice skills.

In addition, there may be opportunities to teach and mentor staff and trainees in the specialty area of practice. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-9: 54394-F, GS-11: 54395-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized