The Marriage and Family Therapist provides Mental Health services to the veteran population enrolled at the Clearlake Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Services include provision of high quality psychotherapy services, including evidence-based psychotherapies, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, and other professionals in collaboration throughout treatment regarding clinical, ethical and legal issues. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Candidates must meet one of the following: Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR, Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in a comparable mental health degree (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry) that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession. Example a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology would not meet this standard as the Psychology standard requires a Ph.D. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0101 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State. English Language Proficiency. MFTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a MFT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it. VA Handbook 5005/101, Part II, Appendix G44, dated April 18, 2018. Grade Determinations: GS-09 (Entry-Level) Experience, Education and Licensure The entry level grade is used for non-licensed MFTs or for MFTs (master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice (Journey) level. Unlicensed MFTs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in paragraph 3b above, and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 1. Knowledge of human development throughout the lifespan, interventions based on research and family systems theory and therapy, formal diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice and assessment tools. 2. Ability to assess, with supervision, the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members. 3. Knowledge to formulate, implement, and re-evaluate a treatment plan through continuous assessment identifying the Veteran's challenges, strengths, readiness to change, external influences and current events surrounding the origins and maintenance of the presenting issue, and interactional patterns within the client system. 4. Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services, under supervision, to individuals, groups, couples and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing of the client system. 5. Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy. 6. Ability to draft documents, manage data, maintain accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and track quality improvements. Assignments Entry level MFTs provide mental health services under clinical supervision and within the ethics and guidelines of the professional standards. Individuals assigned at the entry level are clinically supervised since they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure. Entry level MFTs are not practicing at an independent level, therefore should not be assigned to program areas where independent practice is required, such as in a CBOC, unless there is a licensed MFT in the program area who can provide supervision for practice. GS-11 Experience, Education and Licensure In addition to the basic requirements, the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-master's degree experience in the field of marriage and family therapy work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure in a State at the independent practice level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below. OR, In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable degree in mental health that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry) may be substituted for the required one year of marriage and family therapy experience in a clinical setting. AND the candidate must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and they must demonstrate the following KSAs below: 1. Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members. 2. Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups, couples and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing the client system. 3. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Veterans and their families, colleagues, and other professionals in collaboration throughout treatment regarding clinical, ethical and legal issues and concerns. 4. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, regulations and VA policies affecting the practice of marriage and family therapy. This includes the ability to assist Veterans and their families in making informed decisions relevant to treatment to include limits of confidentiality. 5. Ability to provide orientation, training and consultation to new MFTs including clinical oversight of MFT graduate students, and/or provide clinical supervision to pre-licensure MFTs. 6. Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements. Assignments MFTs at the full performance level are licensed to independently practice marriage and family therapy. MFTs can provide general mental health services to Veterans within the ethics and guidelines of the professional standards. MFTs at this level formulate, implement, and re- evaluate treatment plans through continuous assessment identifying the Veteran's challenges, strengths, readiness to change, external influences and current events surrounding the origins and maintenance of the presenting issue, and interactional patterns within the client system. In the event that Advanced or Supervisory level assignments are not established/supportable, the incumbents at this level can be responsible for clinical supervision for licensing purposes only, provided they have an AAMFT approved supervisor credential. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/101, PART II, APPENDIX G44. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0101, Veterans Health Administration, April 18, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. May require moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking ( up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours), Both legs required. ["Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Facilitate short-term, solution focused counseling with individuals and families who may be in crisis, supportive counseling, and referral for resources and benefits. As a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, the incumbent will be expected to diagnose and treat mental health disorders and to be highly trained in psychotherapy and family systems along with treating a wide range of serious mental health issues including relationship issues, child-parent challenges, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and other mental health disorders. Establishes, implements, and maintains referrals and screening procedures. S/he develops screening procedures that involve a multidisciplinary team approach. S/he ensures screening criteria are met and procedures are maintained. Assesses at risk factors and develops a preliminary disposition plan, involving the Veteran and the family/significant other. Performs insightful assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses. Fully accountable for practice, including entering Veteran visits, measuring outcomes to interventions, and meeting productivity standards. Ensures timely completion of assessments, treatment plans, discharge plans, and safety plans. Participates fully in peer review, assessing the quality of professional social work practice standards provided in the organization. Participates in research as appropriate through case finding and referral of Veterans to clinical investigators engaged in research or through participating in research studies. Applies new approaches to Veteran care through integration of approved investigative and research methods, basing interventions on evidence-based effectiveness. May engage in Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved research in compliance with VHA Directives and Handbooks, VASNHS Medical Center Memorandums, BHS Policies and Procedures, and the incumbent's Scope of Practice for conducting such research. Promotes Veteran independence and achievement of optimal health through appropriate psychosocial education, care coordination, and community referrals. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.\nTelework: May telework one or two days a week, depending on the needs of the clinic.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: FS #000000 Marriage and Family Therapist\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]