Marriage and Family Therapist - Department of Veterans Affairs : Job Details

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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Overview

* Accepting applications

* Open & closing dates

03/22/2024 to 06/21/2024

* Salary

$59,966 - $94,317 per year

Salary displayed is based on the Rest of the US pay scale and will be adjusted upon selection.

* Pay scale & grade

GS 9 - 11

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Locations

21 vacancies in the following locations:

* Bloomfield, NJ 1 vacancy

* Egg Harbor Township, NJ 1 vacancy

* Ewing, NJ 1 vacancy

* Lakewood, NJ 1 vacancy

* Show more locations (17)

* Secaucus, NJ 1 vacancy

* Albany, NY 1 vacancy

* Amherst, NY 1 vacancy

* Babylon, NY 1 vacancy

* Binghamton, NY 1 vacancy

* Bronx, NY 1 vacancy

* Brooklyn, NY 1 vacancy

* Hicksville, NY 1 vacancy

* Middletown, NY 1 vacancy

* New York, NY 1 vacancy

* New York County, NY 1 vacancy

* Queens, NY 1 vacancy

* Richmond County, NY 1 vacancy

* Rochester, NY 1 vacancy

* Syracuse, NY 1 vacancy

* Valhalla, NY 1 vacancy

* Watertown, NY 1 vacancy

* Remote job

No

* Telework eligible

No

* Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

* Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

* Appointment type

Permanent -

* Work schedule

Full-time -

* Service

Excepted

* Promotion potential

11

* Job family (Series)

0182 Marriage and Family Therapist

* Supervisory status

No

* Security clearance

Other

* Drug test

No

* Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

* Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

* Announcement number

CBZY-12355395-24-CMP

* Control number

783076300

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This job is open to

* The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

* Veterans

Clarification from the agency

This job announcement is open to U.S. Citizens. Veterans Preference will apply.

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Duties

* This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT for multiple locations/positions that will remain open until June 20, 2024.The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 2, 2024. *

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.

Please note: Not all locations have vacancies at this time and this announcement can be taken down at any time.

As a Marriage and Family Therapist you will ensure the delivery of evidence-based practices in suicide prevention and crisis intervention, applying the techniques of: Engagement, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. The incumbent is expected to be able to provide crisis risk assessment skills in order to ensure the provision of emergency crisis interventions to a complex and high-risk population. The incumbent will also provide specialty consultation to and collaboration with a network of Veteran Crisis Lines, Suicide Prevention Coordinators across all regions nationwide and approved constituents (e.g., family, VA providers, Coaching into Care, Caregivers Support, Veterans Service Officers, law enforcement, etc.) to coordinate expedited connection to treatment programs support resources and emergency services as needed guidelines, and issues pertaining to the practice of the profession. Duties will also include but not limited to:

* Demonstrates a wide variety of crisis intervention skill application through incoming/outgoing telephone calls.

* Ability to navigate a variety of specialized software applications, utilize the data and information within those applications to provide effective service, and accurately document work within those applications.

* Determines the appropriate level of care needed for the client.

* Contacts clients through telephone calls and conduct follow-up interviews.

* Works collaboratively with other members of the Readjustment Counseling Service Crisis Hotline Program to identify appropriate services to veterans and their family members.

* Assist clients and/or their family/friend/significant other with issues regarding the veteran's mental health issues, referrals, benefits, and support groups.

* Provide customer service to a variety of recipients from the call center from within the U.S. or any global area particularly those overseas at military bases and installations.

* Skilled in assessing whether a veteran client is of potential harm to self or others.

* Provides the customer with consistent and accurate information regarding established policies and handles conflicts and problems in a proactive and constructive manner.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm may include nights and weekends depending on the Vet Center needs

Compressed/Flexible: May be Available depending on the need of the Vet Center

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 63347A/6783A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

* 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.

* You may be required to serve a probationary period.

* Subject to background/security investigation.

* Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

* Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

* Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details.

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:

* 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,(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.

* 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.

* 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.

* Exception: The Secretary, or his/her designee, may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of State prerequisites for licensure examinations for a period not to exceed three years from the date of employment on the condition that MFTs appointed on this basis provide care only under the supervision of a fully licensed MFT with an AAMFT approved license. Non-licensed MFTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given an appointment as an MFT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7401(3). This exception only applies at the entry grade level (GS-9). For grades at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed.

Grade Determinations:

GS-9 Marriage and Family Therapist (Entry Level) - GS-9 is the entry level grade for the GS-0182 Marriage and Family Therapist series and is used for licensed MFTs with less than one year of experience (post-master's degree) or for MFTs (master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent (Journey) level. Unlicensed MFTs at the GS-9 level have completed the required education listed above, and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:

* Knowledge of human development throughout the lifespan, interventions based on research and family systems theory and therapy, formal diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice and assessment tools.

* Ability to assess, with supervision, the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members.

* Knowledge to formulate, implement, and re-evaluate a treatment plan through continuous assessment identifying the Veteran's challenges, strengths, readiness to change, external influences and current events surrounding the origins and maintenance of the presenting issue, and interactional patterns within the client system.

* Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services, under supervision, to individuals, groups, couples and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing of the client system.

* Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy.

* Ability to draft documents, manage data, maintain accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and track quality improvements.

GS-11 Marriage and Family Therapist (Full Performance Level) - In addition to the basic requirements, the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of 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) and licensure in a State at the independent practice level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs listed below. OR, In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable degree in mental health that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry) may be substituted for the required one year of marriage and family therapy experience in a clinical setting. AND, the candidate must be licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist to practice at the independent practice level and they must demonstrate the following KSAs:

* 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.

Preferred Experience: Working with combat veterans in providing family counseling services; working with veterans who were sexually traumatized/harassed while in the military; conducting psycho-social assessments and the provision of processing psychotherapy for trauma related conditions; and implementing treatment plans for combat Veterans/and their families

References: VA Handbook 5005/101 Marriage and Family Therapist Qualification Standard Appendix G44.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

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.

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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* Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.