Marriage and Family Therapist (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program)

Veterans Health Administration • Corpus Christi, TX

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive, accessible, Veteran-centered mental health care. The MFT coordinates and provides specialty mental health therapy for Veterans, with a focus on couples, families, individuals, and groups. The role applies systemic health theories and expertise in interpersonal relationships, using approaches distinct from individually oriented therapies.

The MFT conducts assessment interviews, develops treatment plans, and treats eligible Veterans. Services may include crisis intervention, intake evaluations, outreach, and evidence-based treatment for families, couples, and individuals with mental health disorders. The MFT may refer clients to other programs and professionals, consult with team members, and participate in conjoint emergency treatment with mental health personnel at the medical facility.

The position provides a full range of psychodiagnostic services and specialized interventions, including individual, group, couples, and family psychotherapy, as well as advanced psychosocial and case-management interventions. Patients may have a range of DSM diagnoses, including substance abuse or dependence, family issues, and poly-traumatic injuries. The MFT may provide clinical supervision of MFTs for licensing purposes if holding an AAMFT-approved supervisor credential, serve on administrative committees or work groups, consult with colleagues and students, and teach or mentor staff and trainees.

The vacancy is advertised at GS-09 through GS-11, with GS-11 as the full performance level. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Ad hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A master's or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from a COAMFTE-approved program or a regionally accredited institution, or a comparable mental health degree that meets the applicable VA qualification standard.
• A full, current, unrestricted state license to independently practice marriage and family therapy, or pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. For GS-09, VA may waive licensure for up to three years under clinical supervision by a licensed MFT at or above the full performance level.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-master's marriage and family therapy experience, or a qualifying doctoral degree in MFT or comparable mental health field that may substitute for the experience requirement.
• GS-09 knowledge of lifespan human development, research-based interventions and family systems therapy, diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice, and assessment tools.
• GS-09 ability to assess Veterans' and family members' psychosocial functioning and needs under supervision; formulate and reevaluate treatment plans; and provide counseling or psychotherapy under supervision to individuals, groups, couples, and families.
• GS-09 basic understanding of relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting MFT practice, and ability to draft documents, manage data, maintain clinical documentation, and track quality improvements.
• GS-11 ability to independently assess psychosocial functioning and needs, provide counseling and psychotherapy, and establish effective collaborative relationships with Veterans, families, colleagues, and other professionals.
• GS-11 knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, regulations, and VA policies, including helping Veterans and families make informed treatment decisions and understand limits of confidentiality.
• GS-11 ability to orient, train, and consult with new MFTs, provide clinical oversight to MFT graduate students, and/or supervise pre-licensure MFTs.
• GS-11 skill using computer software for drafting documents, data management, clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements.
• Current, unrestricted, valid state-issued driver's license and ability to operate a motor vehicle; a pre-employment examination will validate driving ability.
• Registration with Selective Service for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successful completion of background/security investigation, onboarding, and required application documentation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Successful completion of a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Nice To Haves

• VA or Department of Defense experience.
• Work experience in community settings.
• Experience incorporating outcome measurement-based care into treatment.
• Experience with evidence-based psychotherapies for individuals, groups, couples, and families.
• Experience in case management in complex settings.
• Experience in outpatient general mental health clinics.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and provide specialty mental health therapy for Veterans, couples, families, individuals, and groups using family systems approaches.
• Conduct assessment interviews and develop treatment plans for eligible Veterans.
• Provide crisis intervention, intake evaluations, outreach services, and empirically based treatment.
• Deliver psychodiagnostic services and individual, group, couples, and family psychotherapy, as well as psychosocial and case-management interventions.
• Refer clients to other programs and professionals when appropriate.
• Consult with other team members and participate in conjoint emergency treatment with medical facility mental health personnel.
• Potentially provide clinical supervision of MFTs for licensing purposes when holding an AAMFT-approved supervisor credential.
• Represent Psychology Service on assigned administrative committees or work groups.
• Provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment in the specialty area.
• Potentially teach and mentor staff and trainees.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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