This position is in the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) setting. The incumbent functions as the Marriage and Family Therapist - VISN 5 Chief Mental Health Officer (CMHO), which is a role foundational for the VHA mission. The incumbent has overall responsibility and authority for planning, organizing, coordinating, reviewing, evaluating, and improving the operations of VISN 5 Mental Health Services (to include Suicide Prevention).

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Program Management/Managerial Responsibilities: Coordinates the operations of network Mental Health services, to include Suicide Prevention. Develops, implements, and leads MH team management groups to effectively accomplish goals, focus on customer needs, assure, and maintain quality, and accomplish mission and vision. Responsible for the management and operations of the MH Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) in close collaboration with the Medical Center Director co-lead. Works collaboratively with other VISN clinical program directors to address issues. Leads the VISN 5 Mental Health ICC through strategic planning, program implementation, customer focus, and team-based management. The incumbent also must have knowledge of analytical techniques to evaluate workload, fiscal, and performance measure data and other reports; knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological/mental health theories and techniques to the full range of patient populations throughout VISN 5. Presents reports and recommendations to the Healthcare Delivery Committee (HDC) and the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) regarding change. The CMHO maintains communication with VISN management, medical center management and VACO program officials. Acts as liaison with critical persons and groups both inside and outside of the organization. Clinical Consultation : Provides support/consultation regarding a full range of Mental Health Services, including assessment and using the most appropriate therapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Consults with and serves as a resource for other professional personnel concerning the need for and development of Mental Health services. Reviews clinical cases as needed, to assure policy compliance and to identify learning opportunities. Provides recommendations to executive VISN staff when requested in clinical appeal matters and in requests regarding orders of behavioral restriction. Clinical Service Provision: Provides direct clinical services to Veterans within VISN 5, consistent with training and expertise. Documents services in accordance with existing VHA requirements. Supervisory Responsibilities: The incumbent maintains full supervisory/managerial responsibilities for VISN staff assigned to support MH Programs and all programs aligned under MH. Oversees and supervises the day-to-day work of VISN staff assigned to support the operations of MH as a VHA key program office, including hiring, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, task assignment, and all other supervisory responsibilities. Approves all supervisee time and leave requests, and plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets, and adjusts short-term priorities, assigns work to subordinates, and evaluates work performance. Assures reasonable equity of performance standards and rating techniques across supervisees when conducting performance reviews. Reviews functional statements with supervisees on an annual basis and appropriately revises functional statements to accurately reflect current duties. Supports subordinates in professional development endeavors Work Schedule: 8:00 AM -4:30 PM Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 100% Telework eligible within 50 mile commuting distance of any VISN 5 station to include, Linthicum Heights, MD; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Perry Point, MD; Martinsburg, WV; Clarksburg, WV; Huntington , WV and Beckley , WV. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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: 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 meet the below 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: Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE. OR, 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. 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 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). Grade Determinations: Marriage and Family Therapist Program Manager Leader, GS-14 (Care Line Manager/VISN/National) Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience at the GS-13 grade level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. The MFT Program Manager must have graduated from a COAMFTE approved program OR have passed the AMFTRB examination. The MFT Program Manager must have at least five years of post-licensed clinical experience in family systems theory/therapy and must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise. The MFT Program Manager must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential. Examples of Specialized experience at the next lower level of GS-13 include: Operation and management of key clinical, training, or administrative programs. Responsibilities include development and implementation of programs, policies and procedures; oversight of administrative and programmatic resources; and monitoring of outcomes using a data driven quality assurance process. Staffing, work assignments, budget, clinical services provided and admission criteria for the program, day-to-day program operations and all reporting requirements. Program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments determined by the needs of the local facility, RCS/Vet Center, the VISN, and or VACO. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-14 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Advanced knowledge and skill in management/administration of multidisciplinary mental health programs at complex facilities and/or across multiple sites which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Demonstrated global knowledge of the practice of marriage and family therapy to develop, maintain, and oversee programs in all settings. Ability to provide consultation on policy implementation, qualification standards, counseling practice, and competency with medical center director, VISN, or national program managers that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and mental health practice guidelines in multiple professional areas, and the ability to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing appropriate treatment interventions. Ability to influence high level officials in adoption of, and conformance to, performance measures, monitors, and other policy guidelines. Preferred Experience: Minimum 10 years experience in mental health clinical services. Experience working with multiple VHA mental health programs. Minimum 5 years leadership and supervisory experience (service chief level preferred). Experience collaborating across multiple facilities and with national program offices. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA HANDBOOK 5005/101 PART II APPENDIX G44, Marriage and Family Therapist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. It may require some lifting (10-20 lbs.) occasionally. Reaching above shoulder; Frequent keyboarding (4-7 hours per day); Sitting (4-7 hours per day); Walking up to 6 hours per day); Standing (up to 8 hours per day); Infrequent climbing/descending of stairs; Some bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

• 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.

OR,

• 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.

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 VISN 5 VA Capitol Health Care Network 849 International Drive, Suite 275 Linthicum, MD 21090 US
• Name: Cherita Brooks
• Phone: 443-354-2628
• Email: [email protected]