Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Manager)

Veterans Health Administration • Orange, CT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Program Manager is a licensed professional who uses evidence-based family therapy models and demonstrates advanced practical experience, progressive professional competency, and expertise. The position supervises a multidisciplinary clinical and administrative team that provides readjustment counseling to eligible individuals, including suicide prevention, crisis intervention, short- and long-term treatment for symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, and support for readjustment issues.

The Program Manager plans, develops, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates professional services; sets guidelines and treatment priorities for individual, group, conjoint, and family interventions; and participates in recruitment and selection. The position develops external networks and referral relationships, serves as a subject matter expert on Veterans’ readjustment needs, and creates and measures outreach to promote Vet Center services. It also manages fiscal and administrative responsibilities and provides direct clinical services, including assessment, treatment planning, referrals, advocacy, crisis intervention, education and health promotion, service coordination, and individual and group counseling.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; some nights and weekends may be required, and the schedule may change based on Vet Center needs. The position is not virtual; ad hoc telework is available. The role is at the GS-13 level. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval; potential awards are up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for recruiting qualified citizens.
• 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 meeting the applicable VA qualification standard for that profession.
• A full, current, and unrestricted state license to independently practice marriage and family therapy for appointment or reassignment to an MFT position in the GS-0182 series in VHA.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-12 that demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the assignment.
• Graduation from a COAMFTE-approved program or passage of the AMFTRB examination.
• Five years of post-licensed clinical experience in family systems theory and therapy, with advanced practice skills and judgment and progressive professional competency and expertise.
• An AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential.
• Ability to assess the qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees, including staff performance evaluation and potentially evaluations of lower-level assignments and support staff.
• Ability to facilitate professional development of MFTs across programs or locations and guide them in current practice guidelines.
• Ability to collaborate with leaders of other disciplines within facilities, the community, VISN, and VACO.
• Skill in managing and directing others to accomplish program goals, objectives, and reporting requirements, and adapting operations to changing programs, staffing, and budget requirements; includes knowledge of VA policies and procedures and fair, principled, decisive leadership practices.
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop and implement solutions that support sound program operations.
• Ability to clinically supervise services related to marital and family therapy to accomplish organizational goals and objectives.
• Submit a transcript with the application; only education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used to qualify. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, physical examination, seasonal influenza vaccination, onboarding, and required application documentation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• For EDRP consideration, meet VHA eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of appointment; former EDRP participants are ineligible.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a multidisciplinary clinical and administrative staff providing readjustment counseling, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and treatment for PTSD symptoms and readjustment issues.
• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate professional services delivered by subordinates.
• Set guidelines and establish intervention strategies and treatment priorities for individual, group, conjoint, and family services using varied clinical and therapeutic modalities.
• Conduct performance-based interviews and determine selection processes to support fair and equitable recruitment of qualified applicants.
• Develop external networks and working relationships with Veteran service organizations, community agencies, and mental health organizations to improve service delivery and referrals.
• Serve as a consultant and subject matter expert to external programs and resources on Veterans’ readjustment needs.
• Create, implement, and measure market penetration of Vet Center services through a comprehensive outreach plan for the primary service area.
• Manage fiscal and budget responsibilities in accordance with applicable RCS and VHA policies and procedures, including approving time and attendance, managing leases and contracts, staff local travel, and Government Purchase Card purchases.
• Screen and assess Veteran clients; develop treatment plans and goals; refer clients to service providers; maintain a resource file; advocate for Veterans; provide crisis intervention and education/health promotion; coordinate institutional and non-institutional services; and provide individual and group counseling.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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