Marriage and Family Therapist (Readjustment Counselor)

Veterans Health Administration • Montgomery, AL

14h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. The award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Readjustment Counselors are multi-disciplinary and can be filled by a Social Worker, 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. Duties include screening and assessment, counseling planning/goal setting, direct counseling service provision, risk assessment and crisis intervention, care coordination, outreach, team cohesion and coordination, and documentation/consultation.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• 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 forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
• Must complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, OR a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR 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.
• Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State (exception for GS-9 level, pending completion of State prerequisites for licensure examinations for a period not to exceed three years, under supervision).
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• For GS-9 (Entry Level): Completed required education and working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure.
• For GS-11 (Full Performance Level): 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 must be licensed in a State at the independent practice level, OR a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable degree in mental health that meets the current VA qualification standard may be substituted for the required one year of experience and must be licensed in a State at the independent practice level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) for GS-9: Knowledge of human development, interventions based on family systems theory, diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice and assessment tools; ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs with supervision; knowledge to formulate, implement, and re-evaluate a treatment plan; ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services under supervision; basic knowledge of statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations; ability to draft documents, manage data, and maintain clinical documentation.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) for GS-11: Skill to independently assess psychosocial functioning and needs; ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; knowledge of statutes, case law, ethical codes, regulations, and VA policies; ability to provide orientation, training, and consultation to new MFTs and/or clinical supervision to pre-licensure MFTs; skill in using computer software applications.

Nice To Haves

• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Each discipline (Social Worker, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Marriage & Family Therapist) is announced separately, and applicants must apply to the announcement for which they are qualified.

Responsibilities

• Screen and assess eligible individuals to establish a therapeutic relationship for completing intake procedures, including risk assessment for self-harm and psychosocial functioning, to identify clinical focus areas and develop a service plan.
• Develop and update an individualized readjustment counseling service plan reflecting therapeutic and psychosocial interventions, including achievable goals and measurable outcomes.
• Implement the counseling plan through individual, group, couple, and/or family readjustment counseling, maintaining an effective therapeutic relationship guided by professional ethics.
• Apply risk assessment procedures and, for intermediate to high-risk individuals, develop a safety plan with the individual, and provide crisis case management services, including coordinating with family members.
• Establish and maintain a network of community care relationships (internal and external to VA) to coordinate access to readjustment counseling and ensure eligible individuals and/or family members receive a full spectrum of services to support veteran readjustment.
• Maintain a general knowledge of the military experience and available VA benefits and services (e.g., VA health care, VBA service-connected benefits) to support client care coordination.
• Coordinate with Vet Center outreach workers to ensure seamless referral to Vet Center services for individuals and family members engaged in the community at outreach events who may require follow-up readjustment counseling.
• Actively participate in Vet Center staff meetings for team building and staff development through planning, problem-solving, case discussions, and mentoring new hires.
• Document all clinical interactions and care coordination episodes according to RCS policy.
• Provide consultation services to other staff and community partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - student loan payment reimbursement program.
• Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee.
• Access to a range of benefits designed to make a federal career rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and whether it is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level