The Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) position is located within the Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC), and serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. The MFT provides ambulatory care services to substance abusing and emotionally ill male and female Veterans and their significant others. A significant number of these patients have concurrent psychiatric disorders, personality disorders, medical conditions and multiple psychosocial stressors. 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. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA MFT are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(10), as amended by section 239 of Public Law 114-223, enacted Sept 29, 2016. To qualify for appointment as an MFT in VHA, all applicants must: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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, (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. Persons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0101 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State. Exception: The Secretary, or his/her designee, may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of State prerequisites for licensure examinations for a period not to exceed three years from the date of employment on the condition that MFTs appointed on this basis provide care only under the supervision of a fully licensed MFT with an AAMFT approved license. Non-licensed MFTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given an appointment as an MFT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3). This exception only applies at the entry grade level (GS-9). For grades at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience, Education and Licensure. The entry level grade is used for non-licensed MFTs or for MFTs (master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice (Journey) level. Unlicensed MFTs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed above, and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below. Demonstrated KSAs. 1. Knowledge of human development throughout the lifespan, interventions based on research and family systems theory and therapy, formal diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice and assessment tools.2. Ability to assess, with supervision, the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members.3. Knowledge to formulate, implement, and re-evaluate a treatment plan through continuous assessment identifying the Veteran's challenges, strengths, readiness to change, external influences and current events surrounding the origins and maintenance of the presenting issue, and interactional patterns within the client system.4. Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services, under supervision, to individuals, groups, couples and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing of the client system.5. Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, and family therapy.6. Ability to draft documents, manage data, maintain accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and track quality improvements. Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience, Education and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of 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) and licensure in a State at the independent practice level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (b) below. OR, In addition to the basic requirements, 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) may be substituted for the required one year of marriage and family therapy experience in a clinical setting. AND the candidate must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and they must demonstrate the following KSA. Demonstrated KSAs. 1. Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members.2. 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.3. 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.4. 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.5. 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.6. Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements. VA HANDBOOK 5005/101 April 18, 2018 PART II APPENDIX G44 II-G44-8 ["The MFT is responsible for providing family, couple and marriage counseling to Veterans within the Center for Behavioral Healthcare (CBH). Treatment modalities may include crisis intervention as well as both short term and long term services. The MFT may refer patients to other programs and professionals to include other programs within Behavioral Health. The MFT participates in all Center for Behavioral Healthcare functions as required, including consultations with others, crisis intervention, and interaction in Medical Center trainings and staff meetings. Specific clinical tasks of the MFT include, but are not limited to: Screenings and Assessments - The MFT independently conducts intake screenings and evaluations of Veterans and their significant others. When assessing Veterans for admission to the BHC, the incumbent uses the established biopsychosocial admissions criteria to determine the appropriateness of Veterans referred to the BHC for service in the different treatment components. After admission, performs a comprehensive intake assessment that satisfies Joint Commission (JC) standards and provides clinically meaningful information related to the specific cognitive-social learning treatment approach used in the BHC. This includes making DSM diagnosis independently. While the patient is in treatment, the MFT continues to reassess and monitor the status of problematic behaviors; routinely evaluates the impact that therapeutic interventions have on patient problems; assesses patients' progress toward meeting treatment goals and objectives; determines the need for additional assessment of specific problem areas; conducts and documents a discharge assessment that summarizes the extent to which each problem is resolved and the extent to which additional treatment is needed; and schedules and monitors specimen collection for assessment of substance abuse. Treatment Planning and Goal Setting - The MFT is responsible for developing comprehensive and unique goal-directed treatment plans that reflect a course of therapeutic intervention to address the needs identified in the assessment. Clinical Counseling - The MFT provides individual, conjoint, family, couples and group therapy for Veterans and significant others, including the potential use of Evidence Based Psychotherapies. When providing treatment, incumbent relies on own clinical judgment to address patient problems in a fashion that is consistent with the knowledge and skills of other professional staff with Master's level training. Conducts short, medium, long-term in-depth counseling and facilitates time-limited, closed, structured groups for patients with substance abuse problems, mental health problems, or co-morbid conditions. Crisis Intervention - The MFT provides crisis intervention, stabilization, and follow-up for Veterans and significant others. This includes evaluation and management of suicidal/homicidal patients and other psychiatric emergencies. Professional Competency -The MFT will keep abreast of current state of the art procedures, processes, and date-driven treatment approaches, including VA trained Evidence Based Psychotherapies. Case Management - The case management responsibilities of the MFT do not differ from other BHC staff (i.e., Psychologist, Social Worker, or Nurse). If a patient is engaged in therapy with the counselor, he or she will be designated as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC). The role of the MHTC is to coordinate treatment activities to ensure that each patient is provided with an individualized, integrated, biopsychosocial approach to case management. Program and Staff Development - The MFT takes a supportive role in the administrative/clinical functions of the program such as quality assurance, policy and procedure development, program planning, preparation of reports, and other duties as assigned. The incumbent actively participates in BHC committees; provides training to Medical Center and BHC staff through patient review conferences, BHC in-service programs, and medical education presentations; keeps abreast of new developments in the field of behavioral health; and maintains accurate records and data needed for local and national reports. The incumbent is also responsible for designing and conducting group therapy sessions; recommending methods to improve the quality, quantity, and integration of treatment services. Outreach activities are performed independently and in settings in which there is a significant lack of normal supervisory controls over his/her performance. The primary focus of outreach activities will be reaching Veterans and families who have returned from the Global War on Terrorism, incarcerated Veterans, and those who are homeless. Work Schedule: 8-4:30 Monday thru Friday; Late night and/or Saturday tour of duty as assigned\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]