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 individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities The Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Coordinator) position is housed within the Mental Health Care Line at the James A Haley VAMC, which is the busiest and most complex facilities in the country. At this level, the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) will serve as the Program Coordinator and Assistant Training Director for the OAA-approved MFT Internship. JAHVAMC is home to the second Marriage and Family Therapy Internship program in VA with 4 MFT interns. In this context, the Program Coordinator MFT will have primary responsibility for the development of policies and procedures related to training, maintenance of the relationship between JAHVAMC and its academic affiliates in MFT, recruitment and selection of the trainees each year, and daily operations of the training program. The Program Coordinator MFT will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with local, state and national organizational requirements related to Marriage and Family Therapy. The Program Coordinator MFT also acts as an MFT consultant on MFT practice matters throughout the facility and all 6 CBOCs (1) to provide family systemic clinical supervision to MFT health professional trainees and provides clinical consultation to less experienced staff and (2) to develop behavioral health related training curriculum and conduct trainings for clinical staff in collaboration with the Supervisory MFT. The Program Coordinator MFT participates in the recruitment, selection, and credentialing of future MFT candidates, assists in the development of functional statements and performance standards for MFTs throughout the organization, assists in the evaluation of the work of all MFTs through the creation and maintenance of FPPE/OPPE and Peer Review procedures. The Program Coordinator should be a AAMFT Supervisor Candidate working towards becoming an AAMFT Supervisor. Once fully credentialed they will provide clinical supervision toward licensure as needed, and serve as an AAMFT Supervisor Mentor as needed. Provides direct patient care services consistent with his/her role as a Marriage and Family Therapist working within the Family and Couple Enrichment Program including provision of clinical assessments, individual, couples, family and group therapy as appropriate, with an emphasis on evidence-based approaches. Assists in managing daily operations of MFT training program. Assists in developing policies and procedures for MFT training program operation. Identifies developmental and training needs for MFT trainees, providing for and arranging for needed development and training. Leads process for interviewing candidates for MFT training program positions. Assures that trainees are trained and fully comply with the provisions of safety regulations. Maintains liaison with local, state, and national organizations related to MFT training program. Serves as an MFT consultant for all MFTs in MH&BS SL. Assists in identifying developmental and training needs for MFTs, providing for and arranging for needed development and training. Coordinates services offered to Veterans and their families enrolled in the couples and family therapy services. Assists in the formulation, interpretation, and implementation of policies and procedures pertaining to quality mental health care, couples and family therapy services, in a mental health program to assure compliance with internal and external performance standards. Assists in the development of effective programs and treatment strategies for mental health program patients and their families. Assists in the evaluation of MFT program services in a systematic manner, including the collection, tabulation, and presentation of program statistics, trends, and outcome measures. Interfaces with other program directors, the Mental Health Care Line Executive Office, and VA personnel. Assists with advising the Deputy Clinical Executive on relevant programmatic issues with recommendations for improvement in service delivery. Collaborates with other program directors and managers as a member of the Mental Health Leadership Advisory Council. Maintains effective working relationships with internal and external customer groups. Assists with preparing and implementing grant and contract proposals. These may be for Veteran or non­veteran populations. Maintains liaison with local, state, and national organizations related to content field of program (e.g. behavioral health care, telemedicine). Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm Telework: May be available determined by agency policy (Reg Teleworks 3 days/pay period) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Marriage and Family Therapist (Advanced), FS #71196F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to a highly qualified applicant. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN8CCOE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Education: Candidates must meet one of the following: (1) Hold a masters degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, (2) Hold a masters degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR, (3) Hold a masters 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-0182 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State. May 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). All persons employed in VHA as a MFT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, demoted, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. MFTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are retained as a MFT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a MFT. Grade Determinations: Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-12 (Advanced) Education, Experience and Licensure: Candidate must have successfully completed evidence based training in family therapy and must have graduated from a COAMFTE accredited program OR have passed the AMFTRE. Candidate must have at least five years of post-licensed clinical experience in delivery of family systems therapy including one-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. Assignments requiring responsibility for providing clinical supervision must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005/101, Part II, Appendix G44 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, but it may require periods of mobility (e.g., walking, bending, or climbing) and employee may carry light items such as books, instruments, laptops and other similar materials. The work requires emotionally stability, working closely with others emotional stability, mental stability, and working alone. Requires the incumbent to possess or develop an understanding of needs of Veterans. Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in reference to age, developmental requirements, and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved. Education Candidates must meet one of the following: Hold a masters degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, OR Hold a masters degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR, Hold a masters 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. 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 During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.