Marriage and Family Therapist

The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program assumes responsibility for the provision of substance use disorder services to veterans who are admitted for outpatient SUD treatment.

Qualifications

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
• Education
• Candidates 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 profession
• Licensure
• Persons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0101 series in VHA must hold a full - current - and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State
• English Language Proficiency
• MFTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - paragraph 3j
• Grade Determinations: Marriage and Family Therapist - GS-9 (Entry Level) (a) Experience - Education and Licensure
• The entry level grade is used for non-licensed MFTs or for MFTs (master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice (Journey) level
• Unlicensed MFTs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in paragraph 3b above - and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure
• In addition - the candidates must demonstrate the Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) in subparagraph (b) below
• (b) Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-9 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1
• 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
• 2
• Ability to assess - with supervision - the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members
• 3
• 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
• 4
• Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services - under supervision - to individuals - groups - couples and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing of the client system
• 5
• Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes - case law - ethical codes - and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy
• 6
• Ability to draft documents - manage data - maintain accurate - timely and thorough clinical documentation - and track quality improvements
• Marriage and Family Therapist - GS-11 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience - Education and Licensure
• In 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 level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (b) below
• OR - 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 setting
• AND the candidate must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and they must demonstrate the following KSA
• (b) Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-11 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1
• Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members
• 2
• Ability 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 system
• 3
• 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
• 4
• 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
• 5
• 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
• 6
• Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents - data management - maintaining accurate - timely and thorough clinical documentation - and tracking quality improvements
• All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
• It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
  
  

Duties

• Duties of this position are - but not limited to: Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine needs of veterans and family members
• Conduct intake substance use disorder assessments for patients to determine appropriate VA program needs
• Active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines
• Participate in transition/discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that transitions plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate
• Provide individual - family and group counseling as appropriate
• Individual and group services will be focused on substance use disorder treatment
• Provide consultation/education to veterans and families on community resources - advance directives and VA benefits
• Act as a consultant to other team/staff members
• Provide consultation/education to students of all disciplines on clinical practice and VA policy and procedure
• Provide case management to veterans and families - as needed - throughout the continuum of care
• Provide a full range of social services within commonly accepted standards of their profession - which includes case work - individual - family and group counseling - discharge planning - case management and other services as appropriate
• Provide wellness/prevention education and facilitate patient/family support groups as appropriate
• Coordinate treatment and communicate with the care lines to facilitate continuity of care for veterans
• Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• 8:00am-4:30pm - and 1 evening a week 10:00am-6:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized