This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: Master's or doctoral degree in one of the following: Marriage and Family Therapy from a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), OR Marriage and Family Therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR 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 full, current, and unrestricted Marriage and Family Therapy license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a state. Grandfather Provision: An MFT employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (4/18/2018) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-11) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting all qualification requirements. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-13 MFT (Program Manager) Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-13 candidates must have successfully completed evidence-based training in family therapy and graduated from a COAMFTE accredited program OR have passed the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Board (AMFTRB) examination and have 5 years of post-licensed clinical experience in family systems theory/therapy that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise (with at least 1 year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level that is directly related to this specific assignment). Additionally, candidates must demonstrate ALL the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees to include staff performance evaluation and may include evaluations of lower-level assignments and support staff. Ability to facilitate professional development of other MFTs across programs/or locations (i.e., Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC), outpatient clinics, etc.) and guide them in current practice guidelines. Ability to collaborate with leaders of other disciplines within facilities, the community, Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN), and VA Central Office (VACO). Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives, reporting requirements and the ability to devise ways to adapt work operations to new and changing programs, staffing and budget requirements. This includes knowledge of VA policy and procedures as well as fair, principled and decisive leadership practices. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. Ability to clinically supervise in areas related to the provision of marital and family therapy services to accomplish organizational goals and objectives. Additional Requirement: Position requires AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation. AAMFT Supervisor Candidates have two years from the date of placement to obtain the designation. Applicants must provide one of the following with application material: AAMFT Approved Supervisors: Proof of the AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation. AAMFT Supervisor Candidates: A written statement attesting that you are in the process of obtaining the designation. The written statement must indicate the date you started the process with AAMFT, the anticipated completion date of the designation, and the name and AAMFT identification number of the AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Preferred Experience: Knowledge and understanding of the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Knowledge of methods, principles, and theories sufficient to intervene and stabilize combat Veterans suffering from multiple diagnoses. Ability to conduct psycho-social assessments and implement treatment plans for combat Veterans and their families. Ability to establish and maintain referral networks through community outreach to provide services to Veterans. Experience in working with Veterans, especially combat Veterans. Experience in working with Veterans who were sexually traumatized/harassed while in the military. Experience in providing family counseling services to Veterans and their family. Experience working with combat Veterans and their families who have PTSD or readjustment issues and the ability to make independent judgments and recommendations about a number of serious and complex cases. Special knowledge and skill in the field of Veterans in community resource identification and development, in public speaking and basic principles of education, in staff recruitment and development, and in program design and management. Knowledge of VA and community resources available to Veterans and their family. Developing and managing a clinic's budget and program funds. Working knowledge of electronic records. Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates and sets guidelines for clinical, therapeutic and treatment priorities. Incumbent must have possession of supervisory and management skills. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodation.
Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) is a unique organization within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that provides readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active military Service members whose service was in support of combat operations, who suffered a military sexual trauma, provided direct emergent medical care or mortuary services to casualties of war, or who served as a member of an unmanned aerial crew that provided direct support to operations in a combat zone or are of hostility, and their families. Readjustment counseling consists of direct counseling services, community outreach (face-to-face connection), and referral services to community providers, VA and non-VA. Serves as a Marriage and Family Therapist Program Manager, RCS Vet Center Director (VCD), and is responsible for the professional and administrative supervision and oversight of all readjustment counseling, outreach, referrals and follow-up care coordination services provided to eligible individuals within the designated Vet Center Service Area (VSA). The VSA is a geographic area that includes multiple communities in different jurisdictions of eligible individuals. The VCD supervises both professional and nonprofessional staff including a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals of various performance levels who work in multiple locations (Vet Centers, Vet Center Outstations and Community Access Points) and in communities distant from the Vet Center through planned outreach, often in conjunction with a Mobile Vet Center. Additional responsibilities/duties include, but are not limited to: Responsible for administrative and outreach staff service functions ensuring that the needs of individuals in their VSA are met. Oversees the fiscal, contractual, and operational obligations of the community-based Vet Center. This includes government vehicles and routing and emergent Mobile Vet Center deployment. Responsible for the Vet Center's resource and fiscal management, monitoring control points, developing the annual budget, operating within that budget, and accounting for appropriated funds. Analyses organizational and operational problems, develops and implements solutions that result in efficient operations and uses data to manage workload, quality, performance and productivity. Leads the coordination and briefing during meetings with Congressional representatives and their staff. Oversees services delivered by the Vet Center to include ensuring that outreach and counseling services are delivered in a manner consistent with RCS policy and that staff deliver services within the scope of their training and experience. Takes the lead in planning, establishing, and implementing Vet Center policies and procedures, developing staff goals and objectives, and monitoring, coordinating and evaluating the work of all Vet Center staff. Assures that all staff whom they supervise are aware of, and adhere to, all current VHA directives, state licensure standards, and VA-OIG expectations. Conducts ongoing intensive reviews and appraisals to ensure the accomplishment of objectives and adherence to standards set by governing bodies. Provides direct readjustment counseling services within and outside of the Vet Center to include in-person and virtual services based on client preference, with the parameters of all VHA directives, state licensure standards, and VA-OIG expectations. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm; Monday - Friday, standard operational hours with occasional evenings and weekends based on operational need of the facility Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 78047A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized NOTE: Vet Center Directors are multi-disciplinary and can be filled by: Social Worker, Psychologist, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, or Marriage & Family Therapist. Each discipline is announced separately, and applicants must apply to the announcement for which they are qualified.