Marriage and Family Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Citrus Heights, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Marriage and Family Therapist provides evidence-based suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to Veterans and their families. The role applies engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation techniques and requires crisis risk assessment skills to provide emergency interventions for a complex, high-risk population. The therapist consults and collaborates with Veteran Crisis Lines, Suicide Prevention Coordinators nationwide, and approved constituents to coordinate expedited connections to treatment programs, support resources, and emergency services.

The position is part of the Readjustment Counseling Service Crisis Hotline Program and serves callers in the United States and globally, including people at overseas military bases and installations. The therapist assesses clients’ needs and appropriate level of care, conducts telephone follow-ups, supports Veterans and their families with mental health concerns, referrals, benefits, and support groups, and documents services using specialized software. The position is not telework or virtual. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the tour of duty may vary by facility location.

The position may be filled at GS-09 or GS-11, with GS-11 identified as the full-performance level. GS-09 candidates must meet the basic education requirements and demonstrate the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities; no additional experience is required. GS-11 candidates must meet the basic requirements and have one year of post-master’s marriage and family therapy experience plus independent-practice state licensure, or a qualifying doctoral degree that may substitute for the experience and licensure requirements. An Education Debt Reduction Program may be available to eligible applicants, subject to program approval and application requirements.

Requirements

• Meet one of the education requirements: a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a COAMFTE-approved program; a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a regionally accredited institution; or a master’s or doctoral degree in a comparable mental health discipline meeting the applicable VA qualification standard.
• For MFT positions, hold a full, current, unrestricted state license for independent practice, except that qualifying GS-09 appointees may be granted a limited waiver while completing state licensure prerequisites and must work under supervision of a fully licensed MFT with an AAMFT-approved license.
• For GS-11, have at least one year of post-master’s marriage and family therapy experience in a clinical setting and independent-practice state licensure, or have a qualifying doctoral degree that may substitute for those requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge of human development, research-based interventions, family systems theory and therapy, diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice, and assessment tools.
• Demonstrate ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and family members, with supervision at GS-09 and independently at GS-11.
• Demonstrate ability to formulate, implement, and reevaluate treatment plans through ongoing assessment.
• Provide culturally competent counseling and/or psychotherapy to individuals, groups, couples, and families; GS-09 services are under supervision.
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, regulations, and, at GS-11, VA policies affecting MFT practice.
• Demonstrate ability to draft documents, manage data, maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation, and track quality improvements.
• At GS-11, demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective collaborative relationships with Veterans, families, colleagues, and other professionals on clinical, ethical, and legal matters.
• At GS-11, demonstrate ability to provide orientation, training, and consultation to new MFTs, provide clinical oversight of graduate students, and/or supervise pre-licensure MFTs.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet applicable background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition for VA health care personnel.
• Submit a transcript with the application; only qualifying education from recognized accredited institutions may be used.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based suicide prevention and crisis intervention using engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Conduct crisis risk assessments and provide emergency crisis interventions for a complex, high-risk population.
• Provide specialty consultation and collaborate with Veteran Crisis Lines, Suicide Prevention Coordinators, and approved constituents to coordinate connections to treatment, support resources, and emergency services.
• Demonstrate a variety of crisis intervention skills through incoming and outgoing telephone calls.
• Use specialized software applications and their data to provide services and accurately document work.
• Determine the appropriate level of care for clients.
• Contact clients by telephone and conduct follow-up interviews.
• Work collaboratively with Readjustment Counseling Service Crisis Hotline Program colleagues to identify appropriate services for Veterans and family members.
• Assist clients and their family members, friends, or significant others with Veterans’ mental health issues, referrals, benefits, and support groups.
• Provide customer service to callers in the United States and global locations, including overseas military bases and installations.
• Assess whether a Veteran client may pose a danger to themselves or others.
• Provide consistent and accurate information about established policies and handle conflicts and problems proactively and constructively.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement may be available to eligible applicants, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to review and approval.
• Federal employee benefits are available; the specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Selected applicants may request and receive approval for prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual.

What This Job Offers

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