Marriage and Family Therapists provide substance use disorder services to veterans in an outpatient setting, with some services potentially extended to residential rehabilitation patients. This role involves conducting assessments, participating in treatment planning, providing counseling, and offering consultation and education to veterans and their families.
Responsibilities
Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine needs of veterans and family members
Conduct intake substance use disorder assessments for patients to determine appropriate VA program needs
Actively participate in the treatment planning process with other disciplines
Participate in transition/discharge planning with other disciplines and ensure timely and appropriate execution of transition plans
Provide individual, family, and group counseling, focused on substance use disorder treatment
Provide consultation/education to veterans and families on community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits
Act as a consultant to other team/staff members
Provide consultation/education to students of all disciplines on clinical practice and VA policy and procedure
Provide case management to veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care
Provide a full range of social services within commonly accepted standards of their profession, including case work, individual, family, and group counseling, discharge planning, case management, and other services as appropriate
Assist patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with loss and grief experiences in disability, terminal illness, and death
Document therapy interventions and activities in patient's clinical record utilizing CPRS and ensure appropriate transfer of patients internally within the VA system and with other external agents
Participate in providing evening services to accommodate patient care needs, one night per week
Requirements
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
Must be proficient in written and spoken English
Subject to background/security investigation
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement
Serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
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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 an 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
Hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State
MFTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j
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
Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-9 (Entry Level)
Completion of the required education and working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure (for non-licensed MFTs or MFTs not yet licensed at the independent practice level)
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
Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
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 licensure in a State at the independent practice level, OR
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
Must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level
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 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, including 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
Benefits
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility (up to $200,000 over one to five years)
Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee
Potential for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service
Important Details
Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, with one evening per week from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
Application deadline: 26 October 2026, 11:59 PM (ET)
Application Process
Complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section
Create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account
Select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire
Submit your application package
About the Company
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of its Medical Centers, empowering people to take charge of their health and well-being. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Required Documents
Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
Transcript
Cover Letter (accepted, may be required)
DD-214/ Statement of Service (accepted, may be required)
Disability Letter (VA) (accepted, may be required)
License (accepted, may be required)
Responses to Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (recommended)
Professional Certification (accepted, may be required)
SF-15 (accepted, may be required)
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action (accepted, may be required)
Veterans' Preference
Eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire
Provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service
If currently serving on active duty and expecting release/discharge within 120 days, submit documentation related to active duty service
Disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees
Pre-employment Checks
Pre-employment reference checks are performed as an assessment method
Pre-employment examination or evaluation may be required as part of the pre-employment process
Position may be filled as a Social Worker/Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor/Marriage and Family Therapist
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
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution
Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
It is a requirement that all HCP receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons
Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted
HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service
HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties
VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities
HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities
HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students
HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities
Next Steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email
After receiving application packages and the vacancy announcement closes, applications will be reviewed to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met
After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email
Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview
All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications
Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center
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