Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• The basic requirements for employment as a VHA Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(10), as amended by section 239 of Public Law 114- 223, enacted Sept 29, 2016
• To qualify for appointment as an MFT in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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, OR 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-0182 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
• 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, the following provisions apply
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade level for each candidates
• (1) Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-9 (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) in subparagraph (b) below
• Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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
• Ability to assess, with supervision, the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members
• 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
• Ability to provide counseling and, or psychotherapy services, under supervision, to individuals, groups, couples and families in a manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing of the client system
• Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy
• 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
• Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level): 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 must be licensed in a State at the independent practice level
• ~OR~ Experience, Education and Licensure: 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 must be licensed in a State at the independent practice level
• ~AND~ Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the KSA's for the GS-09 grade level, candidates must demonstrate the GS-11 KSAs below: Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements
• Preferred Experience: Working with combat Veterans in providing family counseling services
• Working with Veterans who were sexually traumatized/harassed while in the military
• Conducting psycho-social assessments and the provision of processing psychotherapy for trauma related conditions
• Implement treatment plans for combat Veterans/and their families
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-0182-11
• Physical Requirements: The work does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodation.