Provides couples and family therapy to the Veteran population served at the Dom VA Medical Center. 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. Services are timely, effectively coordinated and executed, relevant to the psychosocial needs of Veterans and their families, and directed to strengthening family relationships.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Functions as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the General Mental Health Clinic under the guidance of the Metal Health Clinic Coordinator and direct administrative supervision of the Psychology Executive. 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. 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. Incumbent is knowledgeable of crisis intervention strategies and the protocol for addressing medical and/ or psychiatric emergencies. 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. Incumbent has ability to evaluate his/her own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Working 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. 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 544-54055F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: 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-0182 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State. 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 3.j 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience, Education, and Licensure The GS-11 grade level in addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 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 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. AND Demonstrate the KSAs for the GS-11 grade level as well as the following 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. Preferred Experience: None References: VA Handbook 5005/101, Part II, Appendix G44 dated April 18, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, 2 hours; standing, 2 hours; both legs required; operation of motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable to 13: to 16: to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.

Education

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Todd Bellamy
• Phone: 704-638-9000 X16469
• Email: [email protected]