Marriage and Family Therapist - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

About the role

As a member of a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program team (BHIP), the incumbent will conduct psychosocial assessments, provide crisis intervention, clinical case management, and evidence‑based (individual, group, couple) psychotherapy (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Problem‑Solving Therapy (PST), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), etc.) and work with the Veteran to establish treatment plans.

Responsibilities

• Incumbent independently conducts assessments – evaluating the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their families to formulate and implement a treatment plan – identifying needs, strengths and coping skills in collaboration with the patient and family as appropriate.
• Incumbent will provide triage assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling/psychotherapy (individual, couple, and group) for Veterans using evidence‑based practice.
• Incumbent provides clinical case management services to Veterans.
• The incumbent coordinates care and assures that Veterans receive needed services to increase functionality, independence, and quality of life.
• The incumbent sets clinical care goals in collaboration with the patient, monitors progress toward goals, and works to achieve outcomes – including reduced hospitalizations.
• The incumbent will serve collaboratively on a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program team.
• The incumbent recognizes complex situations that impact patient care and intervenes – using sound judgment and appropriate resources.
• The incumbent establishes collaborative relationships with mental health providers – as well as other team members and staff outside the department – in order to more effectively coordinate care.
• Incumbent assesses caregiver burden and makes a plan to sensitively address caregiver burden.
• Incumbent establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with Veterans and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Incumbent is able to work while under appropriate supervision with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family therapy skills.
• Incumbent sensitively assists Veteran and family in long‑term planning as disease processes progress.
• Incumbent has specialized knowledge in mental health needs and disease processes in order to sensitively address needs.
• Incumbent has knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures – this includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.
• Incumbent has knowledge of community and VA resources – and makes appropriate referrals to programs in order to best meet Veteran’s needs and coordinate Veteran’s care.
• Incumbent provides education and consultation to staff, students, patients, and families regarding programs and serves as a point of contact for the community for these programs.
• Incumbent remains current on VA policies and procedures relevant to program areas.
• Incumbent works with the team to meet goals and performance measures within the program – including Non‑institutional Care measures.
• The incumbent effectively utilizes electronic resources required for providing services and completing reports – these include, but are not limited to, electronic medical record, Microsoft Word, workload reporting, and program referral procedures.
• Incumbent documents work appropriately and in a timely manner in the medical record.
• Incumbent participates in performance improvement activities and tracks and trends issues as part of the performance improvement plan.
• Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy.
• Ability to communicate effectively – both orally and in writing – with people from varied backgrounds.
• The incumbent is required