Marriage and Family Therapist (Advanced)

Summary This 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. 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 PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyMFTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - paragraph 3jEducationMaster'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 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 stateGrandfather 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each gradeThe candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the gradeEducation - Experience and LicensureIn addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-12 you must possess have you successfully completed evidence-based training in family therapy and graduated from a COAMFTE accredited program OR have passed the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Board (AMFTRB) examinationCandidate must have at least 5 years of post-licensed clinical experience in delivery of family systems therapy (with at least 1 year equivalent to the GS-11 grade level)This experience must demonstrate the use of an evidence-based family therapy model while exhibiting progressive professional competency and expertise that demonstrates the following professional Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesAbility to provide specialized consultation for complex cases involving individuals - families and/or couples utilizing evidenced-based family systems theory/therapyAbility to provide crisis intervention which includes assessment - safety planning and complex treatment planning using independent clinical judgment utilizing family systems theory/therapyAbility to provide family systems therapy - which seeks to address Veterans and their family members on an individual level and deals with interpersonal interactionsAbility to provide unlicensed MFT staff/trainees with systemic clinical supervision towards licensure from a family systems theory/therapy perspectiveAdditional Requirement: AAMFT Approved Supervisor credentialthis position provides systemic clinical supervisionReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: The work does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodationNOTE: Readjustment Counselors are multi-disciplinary and can be filled by: Social Worker - Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - and Marriage & Family TherapistEach discipline is announced separately - and applicants must apply to the announcement for which they are qualified. Duties The Vet Center Senior Counselor provides direct counseling services - outreach - referral - and follow-up care coordination to eligible individuals - couples - and family membersThe Senior Counselor plays a key role in the coordination of client care and staff professional development - providing expert clinical consultation to other clinicians on complex psychosocial conditions - relational and readjustment stress utilizing evidence-based family systems theory/therapyResponsible for the following domains of service for providing direct readjustment counseling to eligible clients and for developing staff performance through training and clinical supervisionDirect Service Provision: Independently implement professional clinical practice applications in the provision of readjustment counseling to individuals - couples - families - and groupsRisk Assessment and Crisis Intervention: Provides consultation and associated support for staff developing crisis intervention strategies - which includes assessment - safety planning - and complex treatment planning using independent clinical judgment using family systems theory/therapyCare Coordination: Communicates routinely with inter-professional team members and leadership to communicate about program and patient issues for in-depth problem solving - while consistently modeling ethical and professional behaviors and standards to include multicultural awarenessServes on committees - work groups - and task forces at the facility - Medical Center and Zone - District - or national level - or in the community as deemed appropriate by the Vet Center DirectorOutreach: Acts as clinical consultant to the Vet Center outreach workers to improve their sensitivity to clinical indicators and basic interviewing questions to expedite the transition of prospective clients contacted on outreach to actual Vet Center readjustment counseling clientsActively Coordinates with Vet Center Outreach Specialists to ensure seamless referral of individuals engaged in the community at outreach eventsDocumentation/Administrative Responsibilities/Consultation: Actively participate in one-to-one clinical and administrative oversight during administrative and clinical staff meetings as directed by the Vet Center DirectorDocuments clinical interactions and services delivered as required by policyScreening and Assessment: Works directly with eligible individuals to establish a therapeutic relationship sufficient for completing all required readjustment counseling intake procedures to include an assessment of risk for self-harm and psychosocial stressorsCounseling Planning/Goal Setting: Based on the outcome of the intake - will develop and periodically update an individualized readjustment counseling service plan that reflects a course of therapeutic and psychosocial interventions - inclusive of outcome measurementsClinical Supervision - Consultation - Training - Review and Evaluation: Provides clinical consultation services to other staff members with clinical service responsibilities under the supervision of the Vet Center DirectorThe scope of clinical consultation services will include all aspects of direct readjustment counseling service such as advising on the clinical assessment - service planning - and case coordination with community providers when the individual's needs are beyond the scope of services available at a Vet CenterWill provide clinical consultation and supervision to meet the requirements for independent licensure with special attention to providing to unlicensed staff/trainees systematic clinical supervision towards licensureWill provide clinical oversight (chart auditing - etc) as outlined by policyTeam cohesion and coordination: Actively participate in staff meetings designed to promote team building and staff developmentOther Duties: May perform other duties as assigned as appropriate for the grade and assignment and which are within the scope of practice Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pmsome nights and weekends requiredTelework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 32348A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized