Marriage and Family Therapist - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program/Substance Use Disorders

Veterans Health Administration • Lafayette, LA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is an independent practitioner in the Mental Health Service at the Alexandria VA Health Care System’s Lafayette Community Based Outpatient Clinic. The position provides specialized, independent, and complex clinical services to Veterans and their families, drawing on advanced knowledge of systemic therapy, family dynamics, addictions, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based psychotherapies.

The therapist conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial and clinical assessments, develops diagnostic impressions within licensure scope, and creates individualized, person-centered treatment plans. Services include individual, family, conjoint, and group counseling; evidence-based, recovery-oriented interventions; crisis intervention and risk management; consultation; and coordination with VA programs, interdisciplinary teams, community providers, and external agencies. The therapist exercises independent clinical judgment and maintains timely, accurate clinical documentation and coding within scope.

The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-9 through GS-11. The role is based in an office/clinic setting and is not available for telework or virtual work. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. The position is permanent; relocation, recruitment, and permanent change-of-station incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• 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 meeting the applicable VA qualification standard.
• A full, current, and unrestricted state MFT license to independently practice for grades at or above the full performance level. The GS-9 entry-level exception may apply to otherwise qualified, unlicensed candidates under the stated VA supervision and licensure conditions.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-master’s experience in marriage and family therapy and independent-practice-level state licensure; alternatively, a qualifying doctoral degree may substitute for the experience, with independent-practice-level licensure still required.
• Demonstrated KSAs for the applicable grade, including assessment, treatment planning, counseling or psychotherapy, professional ethics and regulations, collaboration, documentation, and data management.
• Registration with Selective Service for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successful completion of a background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and online onboarding requirements.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, which may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; may also be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in sometimes stressful situations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive clinical and biopsychosocial assessments, including evaluation of mental health, substance use, trauma history, medical concerns, strengths, and psychosocial needs.
• Develop diagnostic impressions within licensure scope and evaluate complex presentations, including co-occurring substance use, medical, and psychiatric conditions.
• Educate Veterans, families, and significant others about mental health conditions and treatment options.
• Provide individual, family, conjoint, and group counseling within MFT scope of practice.
• Deliver evidence-based, recovery-oriented interventions, including CBT, motivational interviewing, and problem-solving approaches.
• Provide crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, stabilization, follow-up, and independent assessment and management of suicidal or homicidal risk.
• Identify high-risk factors, including suicidality, homelessness, interpersonal violence, and justice involvement.
• Develop, implement, document, and revise individualized treatment plans with measurable, recovery-oriented goals.
• Exercise independent clinical judgment regarding treatment decisions and documentation.
• Respond to and triage consults to support timely access to appropriate care.
• Provide consultation and coordination support to VA staff, interdisciplinary treatment teams, CBOCs, community providers, and community partners.
• Coordinate care and referrals with VA programs, external agencies, and community resources as clinically appropriate.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with internal teams and community agencies.
• Adhere to operational policies, clinical practice guidelines, and interdisciplinary team procedures.
• Comply with national and local performance measures, clinical reminders, and workload expectations.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete CPRS documentation, including diagnostic and procedural coding within scope.
• Apply advanced knowledge of mental health and substance use treatment, trauma-informed care, relapse prevention, case management, and psychosocial rehabilitation.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal employment or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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