Summary The Addiction Therapist is assigned to the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP). This position involves providing case management and direct patient care to residential rehabilitation and mental health veterans in outpatient and/or substance use disorder setting. There will be available access to other outpatient services through coordination with the interdisciplinary team, which will require coordination with ancillary services. Responsibilities The Addiction Therapist will support a multidisciplinary team that includes a member from the following disciplines: physician/psychiatrist, psychologist, pastoral care, vocational rehabilitation, social work and nursing. The incumbent will perform a variety of therapeutic, supportive, and consultative duties working toward the shared goal of the treatment team for rehabilitating veterans with substance abuse and other addiction issues, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological disorders. Major Duties: 1. Interview veterans that have dependency/abuse issues using diagnostic criteria to assess their readiness and appropriateness for RRTP services. 2. Possess a good, working knowledge of addiction standards to include ASAM criteria, SAMSHA guidelines and psychiatric diagnoses described in the DSM5, developing appropriate and individualized treatment plans for the RRTP clients. 3. Possess critical thinking skills, exhibit the ability to be a self-starter and demonstrate skills such as: 1) superior people and team-building skills, 2) professionalism and flexibility in providing customer service to staff 3) ability to work with low levels of supervision, and 4) competence to document with a low error rate. 4. The incumbent will primarily be working independently as counselor in the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), and ATS outpatient program setting. 5. Strive for self-improvement in area of substance use disorder and counseling, and will seek extramural and intramural opportunities for learning and growth within the field of addictions. 6. Participate in the education of students and interns assigned to work with the RRTP by providing orientation, discussing diagnostic and treatment issues, providing problem oriented instructions, and assisting in the student's evaluation. 7. Be responsible for management of the referral process for veterans placed into the vocational rehabilitation transitional living environment. 8. Develops and maintains appropriate communications, rapport, and positive working relationships with a variety of institutions, organizations and service provide, e.g., halfway houses, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Al-Anon, community church groups, etc. 9. Performs collateral duties as assigned to help accomplish mission success. These duties will include but not be limited to: audio/visual equipment management, disaster preparedness, joint commission preparation, quality assurance monitoring, and RRTP departmental audits. Also, the incumbent will assist with other administrative duties such as follow-up of complaints and tracking SUD and other performance improvement measures as needed. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Tuesday - Saturday Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 71189F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements 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. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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: Education - Hold a bachelor's degree in drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university. In some jurisdictions, individuals may not be required to hold a bachelor's degree to be licensed in Alcohol and Drug Treatment. VHA will not waive education requirements even if the candidate has a license that does not require a bachelor's degree. Licensure - Individuals appointed or reassigned to an AT position in the GS-0101 series must:(a) Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia to practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment; AND (b) Complete one of the following: International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Certification; or National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1. 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-9 Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) Experience - One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders as interrelated to SUDs. (b) Ability to complete assessments of substance use disorders, treatment planning and continued care planning. (c) Ability to develop and maintain effective working or therapeutic relationships with multidisciplinary staff, Veterans and their families. Assignment - This is the full performance-level assignment for ATs. Although the ATs are dependent providers and perform work under guidance of LMATs, ATs at this level perform intake/assessments using a biopsychosocial history which could include urine toxicology/breathalyzer data and/or collateral information. They provide case management and counseling on issues that involve substance use. ATs conduct and utilize designated measurement tools for baseline and follow-up care. They assist with the utilization of the assessment and in collaboration with the patient, create an individualized treatment plan and continuing care plans. ATs provide addiction-related psychoeducation for individuals/groups/couples and evidence-based psychosocial interventions. They provide crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress consistent with VA national policy and within the scope of practice to include engaging licensed mental health clinicians when clinically indicated. ATs are part of the treatment team that includes licensed independent practitioners that formulate plans during the continuum of care and, at discharge, and arrange referrals to agencies and organizations as needed. 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-9. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional travel. Physical activity involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers. A level of self-awareness is essential. 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 for 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. 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.
