Marriage and Family Therapist- Substance Use Disorder Program

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 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 United 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 stateMay 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)Grade 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 gradeGS-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 improvementsAbility to provide orientation - training and consultation to new MFTs including clinical oversight of MFT graduate students - and/or provide clinical supervision to pre-licensure MFTsAbility to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills - family support - and community integrationThis may include evidence-based psychotherapyReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019This position requires to undergo a TB test and may required other additional tests. Duties This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 14 - 2026The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 23 - 2026Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled**A recruitment and relocation incentive may be offered for a highly qualified applicant** This position conducts mental health assessments and treatment plans and provides consultation to Mental Health Providers to assess eligibility and appropriate level of care for Veterans in need of marriage and family therapy servicesThe Marriage and Family Therapist provides direct therapy to individuals - families - couples - and groups to treat depression - anxiety - dual diagnosis disorders - posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - and other serious psychiatric disordersThey will work within their assigned program (Substance Use Disorder Program (SUDP) - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) - or other Mental Health services) to ensure a seamless transition to appropriate services for VeteransThe Marriage and Family Therapist provides crisis intervention as needed for Veterans in Mental Health in the outpatient settingWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: May be eligible on a limited ad hoc basisVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 06506F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized