Marriage and Family Therapist - Behavioral Health

Job Title

Marriage and Family Therapist

Duties

Independently conducts assessments, evaluating the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their families to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying needs, strengths and coping skills in collaboration with the patient and family as appropriate.

Provides triage assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling/psychotherapy (individual, couple, and group) for Veterans using evidence-based practice.

Provides clinical case management services to Veterans. The incumbent coordinates care and assures that Veterans receive needed services to increase functionality, independence, and quality of life.

Sets clinical care goals in collaboration with the patient, monitors progress toward goals, and works to achieve outcomes, including reduced hospitalizations.

Serves collaboratively on a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program team.

Recognizes complex situations that impact patient care and intervenes, using sound judgment and appropriate resources.

Attends appropriate team meetings (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs huddles and meetings, Behavioral Health/Recovery Services, social work etc.) and works closely with patients' providers and other team members to effectively coordinate care. Incumbent establishes collaborative relationships with mental health providers particularly, as well as other team members and staff outside the department in order to more effectively coordinate patients' care.

Assesses caregiver burden and makes plan to sensitively address caregiver burden.

Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with Veterans and families from diverse backgrounds. Incumbent is able to work while under appropriate supervision with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group and family therapy skills. Incumbent sensitively assists Veteran and family in long term planning as disease processes progress. Incumbent has specialized knowledge in mental health needs and disease processes in order to sensitively address needs.

Possesses knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.

Provides education and consultation to staff, students, patients, and families regarding programs and serves as a point of contact for the community for these programs. Incumbent remains current on VA policies and procedures relevant to program areas.

Works with team to meet goals and performance measures within program, including Noninstitutional Care measures.

Effectively utilizes electronic resources required for providing services and completing reports. These include, but are not limited to electronic medical record, Microsoft Word, workload reporting, and program referral procedures. Incumbent documents work appropriately and in a timely manner in the medical record.

Participates in performance improvement activities and tracks and trends issues as part of performance improvement plan.

Possesses basic knowledge of professional marriage and family therapy practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, and strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the life span. Exercises knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.

Attends Ambulatory Care Center administrative and professional meetings as directed.

Provides supervision to lower graded therapists requiring clinical supervision.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday. 8:00am to 4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized. Telework Eligible: Ad-hoc (Per Agency/Service needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 92788, Marriage and Family Therapist - Behavioral Health/CBSR-12994349-26-ARK. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.