Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all United States citizens.

Videos

Duties may include, but are not limited to:
The incumbent directs all activities of the MH service including budget and fiscal management, human resource management, strategic planning, and program management and evaluation, assuring that the clinical and administrative functions are integrated in order to provide optimum utilization of resources. Participates in management discussions, decisions and policy-making, and provides program direction to the managers and
assigned personnel within the service line.

Major duties include:
- Planning, developing, coordinating, directing, and evaluating a large, integrated mental health program for MTVAHCS
- Performing wider-range and higher-level management functions for MTVAHCS and VISN 19 through participation in planning and oversight boards, councils, and committees
- Developing and maintaining continuing programs in the areas of professional peer review, organizational improvement, continuing education, scope of practice, clinical privileging, and other quality improvement activities.
- Providing direct healthcare to Veterans within incumbent's area of expertise, on a limited basis.

Serves as a member of a number of facility and VISN level committees such as the facility Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, the HealthCare Delivery Executive Council, and the VISN 19 Mental Health Integrated Clinical Communities. The incumbent actively participates in the development of overall management objectives and philosophies necessary for the attainment of optimum efficiency in providing health care of the Veteran population.
Provides input, advice, and counsel for MTVAHCS planning, programming, budgeting, and general administration.

Manages a large, diverse service line that provides health care services central to the mission of MTVAHCS. Has supervisory responsibility for subordinates and responsibility for all professional, management, and administrative aspects of the Department. Has ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.

Has skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives, and ability to devise ways to adapt work operations to new and changing programs, staffing, and budget requirements, etc. Has line and staff authority for resource allocations and ensures efficient operation within the Department. Able to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.

Formulates policies and operating procedures ensuring compliance with VA regulations, statutes, and the standards of requirements of various internal and external reviews and accrediting bodies. Assesses the impact of regional, national, and private-sector developments as they relate to the local program, making change recommendations accordingly. Develops program evaluation methodology and processes, which will ascertain areas such as
program effectiveness, organizational productivity, operational efficiency, and resource utilization. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of existing Mental Health programs in meeting established program goals and objectives. Develops plans for organizational changes accordingly. Thoroughly evaluates proposed program changes, operating procedures, and delegations of authority to ascertain impact on current program operations and
on the VISN and MTVAHCS operations.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (MST)
Telework: May be eligible; (Adhoc) Will be discussed during the interview process
Virtual: This is not a virtual/remote position.
Functional Statement #: 436-59537-0
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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

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,
  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.
• 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:
  1. Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, demoted, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
  2. FTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
  3. Employees who are retained as a MFT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a MFT.

Grade Determinations: Marriage and Family Therapist Program Manager Leader, GS-14 (Care Line Manager/VISN/National)

Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience at the GS-13 grade level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. The MFT Program Manager must have graduated from a COAMFTE approved program OR have passed the AMFTRB examination. The MFT Program Manager must have at least 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. The MFT Program Manager must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-14 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

1. Advanced knowledge and skill in management/administration of multidisciplinary mental health programs at complex facilities and/or across multiple sites which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
2. Demonstrated global knowledge of the practice of marriage and family therapy to develop, maintain, and oversee programs in all settings.
3. Ability to provide consultation on policy implementation, qualification standards, counseling practice, and competency with medical center director, VISN, or national program managers that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives.
4. Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and mental health practice guidelines in multiple professional areas, and the ability to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing appropriate treatment interventions.
5. Ability to influence high level officials in adoption of, and conformance to, performance measures, monitors, and other policy guidelines.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/101, PART II, APPENDIX G44

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: This position may require potentially long periods of walking, standing, and sitting; some light lifting, reaching overhead, bending, stooping, and work in front of a computer. This position requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a health care setting with adequate lighting, heating and cooling. Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases. Standard precautions and isolation techniques will be employed as indicated. There may be occasion where response to physical and/or verbal abuse by patients requires knowledge gained from ongoing violence in the workplace training.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.