Summary The Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Manager) (ADDC) provides strategic support and broad tactical and technical expertise regarding the implementation and delivery of the full range of readjustment counseling services, mental health care and suicide prevention services and/or may assemble teams of experts and consultants from Vet Centers and lead District clinical experts. The ADDC provides strategic guidance, consultations, monitors site visits and the outcomes of programs. Responsibilities NOTE: This position is multi-disciplinary and can be filled by: Social Worker, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, or Marriage & Family Therapist. Applicants must apply to the appropriate vacancy announcement. The ADD/C's primary responsibility is to provide clinical and administrative leadership, management and supervision of all Vet Center staff and all other professional, paraprofessional and nonprofessional staff assigned to work at the Vet Center and to plan, develop, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate all treatment services of the Vet Center. Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Oversight: The ADD/C oversees clinical effectiveness of Vet Centers. Performs quality assurance inspections of Vet Centers Ensures clinical charting and Veteran client privacy is following Readjustment Counseling Service and VHA policies. Quality Assurance: Oversees the administrative and clinical aspects of a major specialty treatment program, for quality assurance in RCS. Ensures clinical quality assurance utilizing various clinical modalities and evidence-based practices. Reviews and evaluates Vet Centers at least annually. Establishes and tracks developmental objectives to guide the team in improving services to Veteran clients. Clinical Crisis Management: Develops, reviews, and analyzes a clinical crisis reporting system that accurately tracks critical incidents to improve Vet Center services. The individual collaborates and coordinates with VA entities to facilitate and ensure that a Mortality & Morbidity (M&M) quality review panel is conducted when Vet Center clients die by suicide. Ensures the Peer Review protocol process is completed at Vet Centers when the outcome of the Self- Directed Violence Assessment tool indicates a suicide attempt. Utilizes administrative and clinically qualitative outcomes to further educate staff. Staff Development and Education: Ensures that the clinical staff in their respective RCS Zone is adequately trained to address the needs of Vet Center clients. The individual also ensures staff is kept abreast of clinical issues or evidence-based treatments. Assesses the educational developmental needs of the clinical staff. Responsible for monitoring licensure of all eligible clinical staff in consultation with Deputy District Director and Staffing, to ensure compliance. Develops educational activities, training curriculum in conjunction with District Offices. Education Liaison: Oversees and ensure that all clinical supervisors adhere to established VHA policies governing health professions training in VHA facilities. Supervision/Guidance: Provides consultation, clinical supervision, and guidance to the clinical staff of the Vet Centers. The individual is the primary clinical supervisor for each Vet Center Director within their RCS Zone. The venue of supervision may be on-site during a quality assurance site visit, telephonic, tele-video, or through written policy and directives. Research: Reviews all research proposals involving Vet Centers and advises the Deputy District Director of the effectiveness and value of the project to enhance treatment of Vet Center clients. Upon approval of any research project, the ADD/C monitors the process and compliance with VHA research protocol; ensures proposal guidelines, Veteran client privacy, and timely completion. Independently studies such areas to arrive at appropriate solutions to be recommended for implementation. Outreach: Monitors Vet Center outreach activities are strategically planned and adjusted to ensure market penetration of the local eligible individuals' population. Reviews and advises the Deputy District Director as to the appropriateness and effectiveness of outreach efforts, strategies, and activities. Promotes the sharing of successful outreach strategies among the Vet Centers in a best practices model. Collaboration and Networking: Ensures that Vet Centers maintain clinically productive relationships with programs and organizations internal and external to the Readjustment Counseling Service. The goal of these relationships is to attain a network of liaisons and coordination of services that enhance prompt and successful referrals of Veteran clients. Collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; some evenings and weekends may be required based on the needs of the District. Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Please see note below. Functional Statement #: PD765280 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required ** Hired employee will need to have a permanent residence and currently living in one of the states falling under the "10RCS4 Continental District," to include Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, or Mississippi. ** 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 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 the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (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-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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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: GS-13 Experience and Education: In addition to the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to that equivalent to the GS-12 grade level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. MFT Program Manager must have graduated from a COAMFTE approved program OR have passed the AMFTRB examination. MFT Program Manager must have five years of post- licensed clinical experience in family systems theory/therapy and must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise. MFT Program Manager must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential at time of application. ***Evidence of AAMFT Approved Supervisor Credential must be uploaded with application*** In addition to the basic requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees to include staff performance evaluation and may include evaluations of lower level assignments and support staff. Ability to facilitate professional development of other MFTs across programs/or locations (i.e. CBOC, outpatient clinics, etc.) and guide them in current practice guidelines. Ability to collaborate with leaders of other disciplines within facilities, the community, VISN, and VACO. Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives, reporting requirements and the ability to devise ways to adapt work operations to new and changing programs, staffing and budget requirements. This includes knowledge of VA policy and procedures as well as fair, principled and decisive leadership practices. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. Ability to clinically supervise in areas related to the provision of marital and family therapy services to accomplish organizational goals and objectives. Preferred Experience: Provide clinical and counseling oversite to other mental health professionals Experience providing trauma based therapy Reference: VA Handbook 5005-106, Part II, Appendix G44, dated April 18, 2018. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. 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. A pre-placement exam is not 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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.