Marriage and Family Therapist

Summary

The goal of the Marriage and Family Therapist is to enhance relationships, improve interactions between Veterans, their spouses, and families, and to promote optimal service delivery through education related to effective communication and problem-solving, military culture, and various mental and physical health disorders and their potential impact on relationships.

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:

• A
• 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)
• B
• Education
• Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution
• C
• Licensure
• Persons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0101 series in VHA must must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State.Exception
• 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
• MFTs that are not licensed at the time of appointment must become licensed at the independent level (Journey level) within three years of their appointment as a MFT
• Most States require two years of post-graduate MFT experience as a pre-requisite to taking the licensure examination; VHA allows MFTs one additional year to pass the licensure exam
• It is VHA policy that a MFT who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be clinically supervised by an MMFT approved licensed MFT at or above the journey level who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record
• Failure to Obtain License
• In all cases, unlicensed MFTs must actively pursue meeting State prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment
• At the time of appointment, the Human Resource Officer will provide the unlicensed MFT with the written requirements for licensure, the date by which the license must be obtained, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline
• Failure to obtain a license by the prescribed date will result in removal from the GS-0101 MFT series and may result in termination of employment
• Grade Determinations: 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 in paragraph 3b above, and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure
• In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) in subparagraph (b) below
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• Ability to assess, with supervision, the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members
• 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
• 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
• Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements
• References: VA Handbook 5005/101, Part II, Appendix G44The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: This position is predominately a clinical/administrative position
• However, as this position requires a licensed professional, the physical demands remain equivalent to the clinical requirements for the position
• The clinical component of this position provides direct services to patients and their families through casework
• Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain, corrective lenses permitted), keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment
Duties "Incumbent primarily provides couples and family therapy to the Veteran population served at the Roseburg VA Health Care System.
Services include the provision of high-quality comprehensive therapy, family advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers and/or agencies as needed by clientele.
This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the General Mental Health Clinic interdisciplinary treatment team.
Services are timely, effectively coordinated and executed, relevant to the psychosocial needs of Veterans and their families and directed to strengthening family relationships.
Incumbent is stationed in Roseburg, Oregon.
FUNCTIONS OF POSITION 1.
Incumbent functions as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the General Mental Health Clinic under the guidance of the Mental Health Clinic Coordinator and direct administrative supervision of the LMFT Supervisor.
2.
Independently conducts thorough clinical assessments with focus on identifying risk factors and the psychosocial needs of Veterans and their identified significant others.
Incumbent develops treatment plans indicating utilization of empirically based interventions and appropriate and relevant clinical practices in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team in the General Mental Health Clinic.
3.
Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families and demonstrates advanced skill in independently providing individual, couples, family, and/or group therapy to Veterans and their significant others.
4.
Knowledgeable of crisis intervention strategies and the protocol for addressing medical and/ or psychiatric emergencies.
5.
Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and their families and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan within his/her scope of practice.
6.
Evaluate his/her own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means.
7.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
8.
Knowledge and skill in the use of word processing, data management, and other computer software, as well as ability to learn and utilize VHA software program.
Incumbent has ability to develop skill and knowledge in the use of VA provided tele-health equipment and is responsible for coordinating appointments with Veterans, their families, and support staff across sites.
9.
Completes timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation in the client's VA medical record for all visits with the Veteran, his/her family, and/or significant others.
10.
Knowledgeable of all mandated reporting laws in Curry County.
11.
Has knowledgeable of available VA and community resources and will assist Veterans and/or their families in connecting with appropriate and needed resources/services.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"

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