Marriage and Family Therapist (BHIP) - EDRP Approved

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 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.QualificationsHealth Profession Trainees (HPT's) 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. All applicants pending licensure as a MFT may be appointed at the GS-9 level while completing pre-license requirements.Basic RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyIn 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 EnglishEducation - 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 professionLicensure - 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 licensureGS-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 levelFailure 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 employmentMay 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)Grandfather Provision - An MFT employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (4/18/2018) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-11) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting all qualification requirementsGrade 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 toolsAbility to assess - with supervision - the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family membersKnowledge 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 systemAbility 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 systemBasic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes - case law - ethical codes - and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapyAbility to draft documents - manage data - maintain accurate - timely and thorough clinical documentation - and track quality improvementsGS-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 membersAbility to provide counseling and - or psychotherapy services to individuals - groups - couples and families that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing the client systemAbility 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 concernsKnowledge 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 confidentialityAbility to provide orientation - training and consultation to new MFTs including clinical oversight of MFT graduate students - and/or provide clinical supervision to pre-licensure MFTsSkill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents - data management - maintaining accurate - timely and thorough clinical documentation - and tracking quality improvementsPreferred Experience: VA or DOD experience Work experience in community settings Experience incorporating outcome measurement based care into treatmentExperience with evidence-based psychotherapies for individuals - groups - couples - and families Experience in case management in complex settingsExperience in outpatient general mental health clinicsReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to 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) serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)The BHIP is a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals which provides comprehensive - accessible - Veteran-centered mental health careThe 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 therapiesThe MFT conducts assessment interviews - develops treatment plans and provides treatment to eligible VeteransTreatment modalities may include crisis intervention - intake evaluations - outreach services as well as empirically based treatment for families - couples - and individuals with mental health disordersThe MFT may refer clients to other programs and professionals as appropriateThe MFT also participates in and provides consultations to other team membersparticipates in conjoint emergency treatment with medical facility mental health personnelThe Marriage and Family Therapist: provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services which requires skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalitiesThis 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 injuriesUtilizes knowledge of current professional marriage and family practicesExperiences 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 disordersmay be responsible for the clinical supervision of MFT's for licensing purposes only provided they have an AAMFT approved supervisor credentialmay serve as the representative for Psychology Service on various Psychology Service - Mental Health Service Line - System or VISN administrative committees or work groups as assignedprovides 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 skillsIn addition - there may be opportunities to teach and mentor staff and trainees in the specialty area of practiceWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: GS-9: 54394-F - GS-11: 54395-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact the EDRP Coordinator at vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized