The Marriage and Family Therapist provides outpatient mental health services to Veterans and their families in VA Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program. While most services are provided during a standard tour of duty, the clinician may also provide services for patients in Saturday and/or evening clinics. Provides assessment and primary intervention for Veterans, couples and families experiencing mental health concerns including adjustment, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Duties

Serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team with specialized training in family systems and experience in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of serious mental health issues including relationship issues, child-parent challenges, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental health disorders. The incumbent completes all components of the intake and assessment process, to include developing a treatment plan pertaining to all assessed needs. Serves as case manager for a panel of patients, the size of which is commensurate with other clinicians on the staff of BHIP team. Attends to a broad range of patient needs that are not fully met directly through the clinical services provided by BHIP, including but not limited to those needs dealing with physical health, employment, finances, family, social support, and housing. Provides same-day services as needed for Veterans and families, including referring patients for emergency medical treatment, psychiatric medication evaluation, SUD specialty care or non-medical detoxification as well as coordinating the admission of patients to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Provides a range of treatment services, including but not limited to individuals, couples, family, and group treatment. Group treatment includes psycho-educational as well as psychotherapeutic groups. The incumbent utilizes evidence-based treatment methods whenever possible. Ensures that all clinical work is documented accurately and in a timely fashion, consistent with the MHSL and facility expectations and policies. Ensures appropriate referrals to specialty programs, including community resources, are accomplished. This may include referrals to other Mental Health Programs (i.e., Mental Health Clinic, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program, Neuropsychology, PTSD Clinic, Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Compensated Work Therapy, Homeless services, Vocational Rehabilitation). Participates in the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using data-driven quality assurance processes. Implements process improvement initiatives to promote optimal service delivery. Promotes patient independence and achievement of optimal health through appropriate psychosocial education and community referrals May provide services in Community Based Outpatient locations other than their assigned duty station and/or may provide services to these locations over Telehealth, including VA Video Connect and other technology Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday Telework: Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Marriage & Family Therapist Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: 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: must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State. Loss of Licensure: Once licensed, MFTs must maintain a full, current and unrestricted license to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure will result in removal and may result in termination of employment. Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, in order to qualify at the GS11 grade level, you must have the following: Experience or Education: complete 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) OR have a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable degree in mental health (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry). AND Must be able to demonstrate the following: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 G44, Marriage and Family Therapist Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Physical demands do not exceed those of a typical office setting. There may be some walking, standing, twisting, turning, sitting, pushing, bending, repetitive keyboarding, or carrying of light items.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Danville VA Medical Center 1900 East Main Street Danville, IL 61832 US
• Name: Lyndsay Thomas
• Phone: 217-510-8036
• Email: [email protected]