Summary
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 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.
Duties
The Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). The BHIP is a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals which provides comprehensive, accessible, Veteran-centered mental health care. The MFT assigned to BHIP is responsible for coordinating and providing specialty mental and health therapy with a focus on couples, families, individuals, and groups utilizing systemic health theories requiring expertise in interpersonal relationships with conceptualizations that are distinct from individually oriented therapies. The MFT conducts assessment interviews, develops treatment plans and provides treatment to eligible Veterans. Treatment modalities may include crisis intervention, intake evaluations, outreach services as well as empirically based treatment for families, couples, and individuals with mental health disorders. The MFT may refer clients to other programs and professionals as appropriate. The MFT also participates in and provides consultations to other team members; participates in conjoint emergency treatment with medical facility mental health personnel. The Marriage and Family Therapist: provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services which requires skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities. This includes individual, group, couples, and/or family psychotherapy as well as advanced level psychosocial and/or case management interventions used in treatment of Veterans with a range of DSM diagnoses, including substance abuse/dependence, family issues, and poly-traumatic injuries. Utilizes knowledge of current professional marriage and family practices. Experiences must have required use of knowledge, skills and abilities associated current professional marriage and family practice working with couples, families, individuals, and/or groups utilizing family systems theory/therapy as well as the ability to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. may be responsible for the clinical supervision of MFT's for licensing purposes only provided they have an AAMFT approved supervisor credential. may serve as the representative for Psychology Service on various Psychology Service, Mental Health Service Line, System or VISN administrative committees or work groups as assigned. provides subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in the specialty area, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective practice skills. In addition, there may be opportunities to teach and mentor staff and trainees in the specialty area of practice. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-9: 54394-F, GS-11: 54395-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator at vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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/. 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 that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession. (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/ Social Work: https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/directory/, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by one of the accrediting bodies listed above or recognized by the US Department of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.