Marriage And Family Therapist

Summary

The Marriage and Family Therapist provides outpatient mental health services to Veterans and their families in VA Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program. While most services are provided during a standard tour of duty, the clinician may also provide services for patients in Saturday and/or evening clinics. Provides assessment and primary intervention for Veterans, couples and families experiencing mental health concerns including adjustment, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

02/12/2024 to 03/25/2024

• Salary

$72,553 - $94,317 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 11

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Danville, IL

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0182 Marriage and Family Therapist

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CAZP-12304476-24-LT-OCA

• Control number

776105300

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

• Serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team with specialized training in family systems and experience in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of serious mental health issues including relationship issues, child-parent challenges, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental health disorders. The incumbent completes all components of the intake and assessment process, to include developing a treatment plan pertaining to all assessed needs.

• Serves as case manager for a panel of patients, the size of which is commensurate with other clinicians on the staff of BHIP team. Attends to a broad range of patient needs that are not fully met directly through the clinical services provided by BHIP, including but not limited to those needs dealing with physical health, employment, finances, family, social support, and housing.

• Provides same-day services as needed for Veterans and families, including referring patients for emergency medical treatment, psychiatric medication evaluation, SUD specialty care or non-medical detoxification as well as coordinating the admission of patients to an inpatient psychiatric unit.

• Provides a range of treatment services, including but not limited to individuals, couples, family, and group treatment. Group treatment includes psycho-educational as well as psychotherapeutic groups. The incumbent utilizes evidence-based treatment methods whenever possible.

• Ensures that all clinical work is documented accurately and in a timely fashion, consistent with the MHSL and facility expectations and policies.

• Ensures appropriate referrals to specialty programs, including community resources, are accomplished. This may include referrals to other Mental Health Programs (i.e., Mental Health Clinic, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program, Neuropsychology, PTSD Clinic, Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Compensated Work Therapy, Homeless services, Vocational Rehabilitation).

• Participates in the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using data-driven quality assurance processes.

• Implements process improvement initiatives to promote optimal service delivery.

• Promotes patient independence and achievement of optimal health through appropriate psychosocial education and community referrals

• May provide services in Community Based Outpatient locations other than their assigned duty station and/or may provide services to these locations over Telehealth, including VA Video Connect and other technology

Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday

Telework: Authorized.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: Marriage & Family Therapist

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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:

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,

OR,

(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: must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State.

Loss of Licensure: Once licensed, MFTs must maintain a full, current and unrestricted license to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure will result in removal and may result in termination of employment.

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, in order to qualify at the GS11 grade level, you must have the following:

Experience or Education: complete 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)

OR

have a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable degree in mental health (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry).

AND

Must be able to 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 in a culturally competent manner 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/101, Part II, Appendix G44, Marriage and Family Therapist Qualification Standard

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Physical demands do not exceed those of a typical office setting. There may be some walking, standing, twisting, turning, sitting, pushing, bending, repetitive keyboarding, or carrying of light items.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.