The Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Coordinator provides education, training, and outreach within the Orlando VA HCS as well as in the community to promote MST screenings, referrals, and treatment for Veterans impacted by MST. The MST Coordinator will also communicate with the appropriate mental health and primary care service/care line leadership to publicize the importance of compliance with the MST mandatory training requirements.

Duties

While this position primarily engages in administrative work and outreach activities the MST Coordinator will also provide clinical services to Veterans and their families impacted by MST. Responsibilities for this position will include assisting the Facility Director or designees with the development of procedures and process that identify mental health providers and primary care providers who are sufficiently involved in the counseling, care, and services provided to individuals who experienced MST. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to; Supporting the implementation of national and VISN-level policies related to MST at the facility and associated CBOCs. Ensuring that MST screening is being conducted properly, and that Veterans who screen positive and are interested in treatment are referred and connected with appropriate services in a timely manner. Coordinating with facility business offices and clinical service/care lines to ensure Veterans are not being charged for MST-related care, and that Veterans eligible for MST care only are able to access the appropriate services. Collaborate with leadership to develop a process for evaluating facility MST-related services to ensure there is adequate capacity to serve the treatment needs of the local MST survivor population and that services are of high quality. Monitor the organizations treatment services to MST survivors to ensure that they are provided in a way that is gender-sensitive. Serving as a point person, source of information, and problem solver for MST-related health care issues at the VAMC and associated CBOCs. Serves as the primary contact for Veterans and other staff members with questions about MST or local MST-related services. Acts as an advocate for Veteran MST survivors in their interactions with relevant VHA clinics and offices. Provides consultation to facility offices on processes and procedures to ensure accurate and efficient implementation of MST policies. Provides consultation on MST-related clinical issues to clinicians within the facility and, when appropriate, at other locations (e.g., for Veterans receiving care at both the medical facility and a local Vet Center) regarding treatment considerations for that provider and their patient. Directing and providing staff education to improve MST-related care and services. Provides training specific to MST screening, including how to complete the MST Clinical Reminder, for relevant service/care lines, such as primary care. Helps develop procedures and processes that identify local mental health providers and primary care providers who must complete MST mandatory training requirements. Communicates with the appropriate mental health and primary care service/care line leadership to publicize the importance of compliance with the MST mandatory training requirements. Creates and advocates for opportunities to provide direct trainings to facility staff at occasions and settings including, but not limited to, clinical service/care line meetings, in-services, CBOCs, new employee orientation, annual trainings to social work and psychology trainees, and Grand Rounds. Advocates for the inclusion of MST-specific information into existing facility training programs, when appropriate (e.g., trainings for eligibility or other business staff, trainings for Transition and Care Management team staff). Directing and engaging in outreach activities within the facility and with community allies. Plans directs, and conducts periodic outreach efforts to Veterans, both within the facility and in partnership with community allies. Collaborates with facility partners and leadership to ensure that material on MST services is visibly posted or displayed within the facility. Provides counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and families in collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health staff to serve veterans within the mental health clinic as needed and assigned. Provides group counseling services in collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health staff for all veterans seeking mental health treatment. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for Veterans with psychological and psychiatric problems-patients receiving services within the program. Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: The primary tour of duty will be M-F 8am to 4:30pm. However, the selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis, based on the needs of the service and patient care. Telework: May be available - Ad Hoc (when necessary or needed) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Marriage & Family Therapist Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Coordinator Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/06/2024. 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: 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, OR (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. 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. 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 (Program Coordinator) Experience, Education, and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. MFT program coordinators of family programs must be trained in family systems therapy/theory. If the assignment is responsible for providing systemic clinical supervision for licensure, the individual must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential. Preferred Experience: Those candidates with knowledge about clinical treatments and resources for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) are highly preferred. In addition, those with strong communication skills and experience with public speaking are also preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/101, Part II, Appendix G44 Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Walking (up to 2 hours), Hearing (aid permitted), emotional/mental stability.

Education

Candidates must meet one of the following:

• 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, OR,
• 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.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Christopher Cacciapaglia
• Phone: (407) 631-8494
• Email: [email protected]