Summary The Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Program (LMFT) Supervisor directs the New Patient Access Team (NPAT) in Behavioral Health Services. The LMFT Supervisor reports directly to the Deputy Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health (Deputy ACOS-BH), and ultimately to the Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health (ACOS-BH). Responsibilities The BH New Patient Access Team is responsible for managing new patient requests for behavioral health care, same-day access requests, behavioral health crises, and providing initial follow-up care for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization discharges. The incumbent is responsible for the planning, establishing, and implementing of policies and procedures for the NPAT program throughout the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS) and surrounding Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs); supervising staff for assigned program(s); and developing individual or group goals and objectives as well as monitoring, operating, evaluating, coordinating, and overseeing services in assigned program(s) for EPVAHCS. Program Management Responsibilities: - Exercise administrative, programmatic, clinical and academic oversight of assigned programs to ensure delivery of quality services in coordination with the Assistant Chief of BHS and ACOS of BH where appropriate. - Coordinates and integrates the programs into a comprehensive package of services that meet the evolving needs of the Veteran population that comply with the Uniform Mental Health Services handbook (VHA Handbook 1160.01) and VHA's Mental Health Operating Plan. - Serves as the alternate spokesperson and advocate for assigned programs as determined by the ACOS of BH. - Directs patient care needs assessments; identifies gaps in services and supports strategic, planning and program development to meet those needs. Within the local planning process, develops short- and long-range goals and objectives for provision of Behavioral Health within assigned program(s).Integrates the NPAT Program services into primary functions of the organization. - Coordinates and develops requests for programs such as but not limited to both human and budget resources, space, staffing, equipment and supplies. - Develops and implements appropriate policies, procedures, plans and professional standards that guide and support assigned program(s). - Develops program review and evaluation to ensure that the access, quality of care, customer service, patient satisfaction and utilization management, efficiency dimensions of care are continuously evaluated and improved. Ensures compliances with all functions and standards of accreditation entities such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) that are applicable to Behavioral Health programs (assessment of the patient; care of the patient; patient rights, organizational ethics; continuum of care, etc.). - Ensures that programs, processes and procedures are in place to meet VHA performance measures and monitors. Uses chart reviews and data analytic methods to improve performance and quality problems. - Learns about, practices and supports all existing safety practices relevant to this position. Stays abreast of new safety practices as they are developed. Clinical Responsibilities:- Provide clinical consultation to various disciplines and levels of training. Academic, Teaching, Training Responsibilities: - Oversees, develops, coordinates and evaluates academic programs within the BH Service Line.- Involved in the training of students as appropriate.- Provide leadership, guidance and consultation on staff education and development. Other Significant Responsibilities: - In course of duties, has contact on a regular and recurring basis with individuals representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests and points of view. -Serves as a member of key EPVAHCS managerial bodies. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Adhoc-Available: (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authoized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 11/05/2024. Additional applications will be referred as needed. 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: (1) Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, (2) Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR, (3) 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. 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: Supervisory Marriage and Family Therapist,GS-12 Experience, Education, and Licensure: Candidates must have successfully completed evidence based training in marriage and family therapy and must have graduated from a COAMFTE accredited program OR have passed the AMFTRBE. Candidates 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 possession of using evidence based family therapy model while demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise. Assignments responsible for providing clinical supervision must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential. Licensure: Must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential. Note: Assignments responsible for providing clinical supervision. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (b) below. In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to identify professional development needs of other MFTs and guide them in current family systems theory/therapy practice guidelines. 2. Ability to collaborate with members of other disciplines and supervisors and to represent the family systems theory/therapy profession both in and outside of VHA. This includes knowledge of the roles, contributions, and interrelationships with other disciplines. 3. Ability to perform the full range of administrative and clinical supervisory duties including responsibility for work assignments, competency assessments, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions. 4. Ability to analyze clinical data and make recommendations for corrective actions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within service keeping in line with accrediting bodies and policy. Preferred Experience: 1. Experience in working with Veteran Population. 2. At least 2 years of supervisory experience. 3. Demonstrated skill in efficiently managing new patient walk-ins and crises. 4. Demonstrated skill in efficiently managing complex consult processes. 5. Demonstrated skill in effective collaboration with outside departments 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. The master's or doctoral degree must be fully accredited in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE. Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from: MFT Training Programs (coamfte.org)The master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution. Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from: Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org) NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by COAMFTE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the MFT Training Programs (coamfte.org) website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. NOTE: If your school was regionally accredited by CHEA at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org)website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Note: Applications will remain valid for 90 days from initial submission, interested applicants must update application through USAJobs if you are still interested.