Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Tour of duty subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency Telework: Authorized per Agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The VA Northern California Health Care System (VA NCHCS) Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Services (ICMHRS) Advanced Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is located in the Mental Health Product Line. The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide individualized intensive case management services to assigned Veterans and significant others, consistent with the goals and methods of ICMHRS team and the VA Mental Health Initiative and with all relevant Medical Center policies and procedures. Duties for the position include but are not limited to: Respond to consults sent to the ICMHRS program by interviewing the Veteran utilizing questionnaires and other measurement devices while assessing the veteran' s emotional, functional, and psychological condition. Presents the findings to the ICMHRS team to determine rejection or acceptance into the ICMHRS program. Function as case manager for Veterans in the ICMHRS program to facilitate independent community living by coordinating mental health and community care. Participate in development of a recovery plan for each ICMHRS Veteran with measurable goals outlined based on relevant psychological, medical, and psychiatric information with the principles of treatment matching. Assist ICMHRS Veterans in the preparation of materials needed for applications to various agencies for entitlements and follow application process until a determination has been made. Serve as the major consultant for information on negotiating the complex processes Veterans encounter when interacting with government and community agencies. Collaborate with members of the ICMHRS team and other professional specialty clinics to provide comprehensive care to ICMHRS vets. Conduct individual and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of substance abuse, psychiatric illness, and social needs as treatment issues. Serve as therapist in treatment groups, individual psychotherapy, and family therapy as needed. Best practices, practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment protocols are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions. Assess learning needs regarding substance abuse, psychiatric and medical disorders. Provides psychoeducation when needed. Provide assistance with ensuring ICMHRS Veterans have access to medication management. Conduct home visits and community visits to ICMHRS Veterans to maintain and encourage community living. Collaborate with Adult Board and Care homes where ICMHRS Veterans reside to facilitate community living in the least restrictive environment and to provide support services for the homes. Prepare and submit legal documentation for the petition of various legal orders such as guardianship, conservatorship, protective orders, commitment and alternative treatment orders. Provide expert testimony in court settings as needed. Provide direct teaching services to staff and others as appropriate. Document the Veteran's progress in progress notes. Documents significant events as needed. Information is to be entered into the CPRS system. Be responsible to stay abreast of current theory and treatment modalities by reading professional journals, attending conferences, clinic seminars and teleconferences, and materials given out by staff and Mental Health Service. Participates as required and requested in orientation, training and staff development programs. Maintains a valid driver's license and clean driving record. The incumbent's driving record will be reviewed through the California Department of Motor Vehicle's Employer Pull Notice (EPN) program annually. Performs other duties as assigned. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and may be posted up to September 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 21, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st and 15th of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-12 (Advanced) Education, Experience and Licensure: Candidate must have successfully completed evidence-based training in family therapy and must have graduated from a COAMFTE accredited program OR have passed the AMFTRE. Candidate must have at least five years of post-licensed clinical experience in delivery of family systems therapy including one-year equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. This experience must demonstrate the use of an evidence-based family therapy model while exhibiting progressive professional competency and expertise. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs listed below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to provide specialized consultation for complex cases involving individuals, families and/or couples utilizing evidenced-based family systems theory/therapy. Ability to provide crisis intervention which includes assessment, safety planning and complex treatment planning using independent clinical judgment utilizing family systems theory/therapy. Ability to provide family systems therapy, which seeks to address Veterans and their family members on an individual level and deals with interpersonal interactions. Ability to provide unlicensed MFT staff/trainees with systemic clinical supervision towards licensure from a family systems theory/therapy perspective. References: VA handbook 5005/101, Part II, Appendix G44, Marriage and Family Therapist Qualification Standard, GS-0182, Veteran Health Administration, Dated April 18, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-12. Physical Requirements: Hearing (aid permitted) required. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.