Summary Incumbent functions as the primary advisor to the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS of Behavioral Health (BH)) Chief of BH, Chief of Staff, and Medical Center Director on all BH programs. Responsible for the effective and efficient management of all BH programs and services such as Psychology, Psychiatry and Social Work. Ensures timely delivery of patient driven care that includes quality assessment, diagnosis and management (including pharmacotherapy) of inpatient and outpatient BH care. Responsibilities This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 08/15/2024. Additional applications will be referred as needed. Duties include, but are not limited to: Program Management Exercising administrative, programmatic, clinical and academic oversight of all Behavioral Health (BH) programs to ensure delivery of quality services in coordination with the ACOS of BH, Chief of Staff or ADPCS where appropriate. Coordinating and integrating 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 and VHA's Mental Health Operating Plan. Serving as the alternate spokesperson and advocate for BH programs and patients within the health care system, as determined by the ACOS of BH. Directing patient care needs assessments; identifying gaps in services and supporting strategic planning and program development to meet those needs. Within the local planning process, developing short- and long-range goals and objectives for provision of BH Ensuring programs, processes and procedures are in place to meet VHA performance measures and monitors. Using chart reviews and data analytic methods to improve performance and quality problems. Learning about practices and supporting all existing safety practices relevant to this position. Staying abreast of new safety practices as they are developed. Coordinating and integrating interdepartmental and intradepartmental services especially in evaluation of the clinical delivery of care relevant to the ACOS of BH, Chief of Staff or ADPACS. Actively promoting and effectively managing a culturally diverse workforce which embraces the values and needs of all individuals. This must be accomplished through long-term commitments, strategic and business planning, education and experience which broadens the mindset and by fully managing human resources. Clinical Providing clinical consultation to various disciplines and levels of training. Academic, Teaching and Training Overseeing, developing, coordinating and evaluating academic programs within BH. Involved in the training of students as appropriate. Providing leadership, guidance and consultation on staff education and development. Other Serving on System Redesign, Root Cause Analysis, employee candidate selection and other ad hoc committees, as designated by the ACOS of BH. Serving on VISN 17 committees representing BH and EPVAHCS community. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Must be accessible 24/7 on an on-call basis by phone in the event of any major issues that must be handled immediately. This is a rare occurrence. Telework: Available - ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Not a Bargaining Unit position 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: Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from aMFT 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. Loss of Licensure: Once licensed, MFTs must maintain a full, current and unrestricted license to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure will result in removal from the GS-0182 MFT series and may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: Ability to identify professional development needs of other MFTs and guide them in current family systems theory/therapy practice guidelines. 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. 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. 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: Five or more years of administrative/supervisory experience in managing a behavioral health service that consists of multi-disciplinary staff. Demonstrated experience with disciplinary actions Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams with privileges at an outpatient clinic or hospital. Must possess experience in overseeing, developing, coordinating and evaluating academic programs within the behavioral health field. 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. 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/. Accreditation Information: You must have a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by 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. 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 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.