Summary Serves as the Lead Licensed Master Addiction Therapist (LMAT) for the Substance Abuse Recovery Program (SARP), supporting the delivery of effective, consistent, and clinically sound substance use disorder (SUD) treatment within all SARP programs. Responsibilities This role provides advanced clinical expertise in assessment, evidence-based counseling, and harm-reduction approaches, while assisting SUD leadership in coordinating daily clinical activities among Addiction Therapists and LMATs to ensure alignment with established standards of practice and program priorities. As a key member of the interdisciplinary care team, the Lead LMAT maintains effective working relationships with Psychology, Psychiatry, Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, Chaplain Services, Rehabilitation Services, Dietetics, Recreation Therapy, and community partners to ensure coordinated, integrated care for Veterans with SUDs, including those with co-occurring psychiatric or medical conditions. Major duties to include, but not limited to: Provides expert consultation to SUD leadership regarding clinical policies, procedures, and program improvements. Assigns, balances, and monitors workload for AT and LMAT staff, communicating priorities, timelines, and performance expectations. Reviews staff documentation and clinical work for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with VA, Joint Commission, and program standards. Ensures adherence to treatment guidelines, documentation protocols, evidence-based practices, and quality-of-care requirements. Establishes, maintains, and updates computerized patient records; documents clinical observations clearly and promptly. Reviews patient records regularly to assess clinical progress and participates in peer review to support documentation quality. Completes accurate, timely treatment plans and participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings. Provides direct clinical services, including psychosocial assessments, individual and group counseling, family interventions, and aftercare services. Delivers and oversees Opiate Agonist Therapy (OAT) services, including methadone monitoring, dosage-change consultations, and urinalysis/BAC screening. Assists with screening OAT applicants and serves as backup contact for transfer or guest-dosing requests. Supervises addiction therapists, rehabilitation technicians, and peer support specialists to ensure high-quality case management and care delivery. Serves as liaison with Federal, State, and community agencies regarding outpatient SUD treatment, aftercare, rehabilitation, and Veteran placement. Provides leadership through coaching, training, orientation, and professional development activities for AT and LMAT staff. Leads or supports quality-improvement and performance-measurement initiatives; reports program outcomes and resource needs to leadership. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with accreditation standards, VA policies, and performance measures. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm EST Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Authorized, AD-HOC as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 688-260295-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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: United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. Must hold a master's degree or higher in drug and alcohol studies or related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university. Licensure. Must possess a full, current and unrestricted license in a jurisdiction for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. 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-12 - Lead Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's): Experience and Licensure. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11). HR Staff will refer to specific jurisdictions' licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision. Some jurisdictions' licenses require an additional credential (for example, State Approved Supervisor) to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed ATs. Examples at the GS-11 include, but are not limited to: Skill to independently complete assessments of substance use disorders, treatment planning and continued care planning; Skill to apply the principles, concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs); Skill to collaborate and consult on medical or other psychiatric disorders as interrelated to SUDs; Ability to apply various community-based recovery programs and resources in a treatment plan. And Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders and managers. Ability to provide staff training and development. Ability to independently set priorities in order to meet multiple deadlines. Preferred Experience: Demonstrated ability in evidence-based SUD therapies, leadership in clinical program improvement, and administrative/ referral decision-making independence.. 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: Must meet pre-employment requirements as described by VA Handbook 5019. Additionally, This position requires light to moderate lifting (15 - 44 lbs.); light carrying (15 lbs. and under); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to two hours); standing (up to two hours); kneeling (up to one hour); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correction at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception' ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; mental stability; working closely with others and working alone. 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. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.
