Marriage and Family Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Des Moines, IA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Marriage and Family Therapist will provide substance use disorder services to Veterans receiving outpatient treatment, with some services to Residential Rehabilitation patients as needed. The role is part of the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program and includes assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, consultation, discharge planning, and clinical documentation. The position may be filled as a Social Worker, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, or Marriage and Family Therapist. The full performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-9 through GS-11. The position is not virtual; telework is ad hoc. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with one evening per week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Evening services are provided one night a week to accommodate patient care needs. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 over one to five years. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• A master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a COAMFTE-approved program or a regionally accredited institution, or a master's or doctoral degree in a comparable mental health discipline that meets the applicable VA qualification standard.
• For GS-11: A full, current, unrestricted state license to independently practice marriage and family therapy, plus at least one year of post-master's marriage and family therapy experience; a qualifying doctoral degree may substitute for the experience requirement. For GS-9, qualifying education and progress toward licensure are required, with care provided under supervision when applicable.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the applicable grade, including psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, counseling or psychotherapy, relevant laws and ethics, clinical documentation, and data management.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Registration with Selective Service for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Completion of a background/security investigation and required onboarding and application documentation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Submission of an education transcript with the application.
• Ability to complete a pre-employment examination or evaluation.

Nice To Haves

• A doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a comparable qualifying mental health discipline may substitute for the one-year post-master's experience requirement for GS-11.
• Current VHA employees in this occupation may qualify under the applicable grandfathering provision.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine the needs of Veterans and family members.
• Conduct intake substance use disorder assessments to determine appropriate VA program needs.
• Participate in treatment planning with other disciplines.
• Participate in transition and discharge planning, ensuring plans are carried out in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Provide individual, family, and group counseling, with services focused on substance use disorder treatment.
• Provide Veterans and families with consultation and education about community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits.
• Serve as a consultant to other team and staff members.
• Provide students across disciplines with consultation and education on clinical practice and VA policy and procedures.
• Provide case management to Veterans and families as needed throughout the continuum of care.
• Provide social services within accepted professional standards, including casework, counseling, discharge planning, case management, and other appropriate services.
• Assist patients and significant others with coping with loss and grief related to disability, terminal illness, and death.
• Document therapy interventions and activities in patients' clinical records using CPRS.
• Ensure appropriate transfer of patients within the VA system and to external agents.
• Participate in evening services one night per week to accommodate patient care needs.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment, subject to individual eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits eligibility dependent on position type and applicable requirements.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal service or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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