The Addiction Therapist works with a multi-disciplinary recovery team to provide guidance and support to Veterans in Recovery, coordinating their care to include substance abuse services, mental health services, vocational services, assistance with homeless outreach services, and collaboration with other disciplines/treatment modalities to ensure that the Veterans' recovery plan is self-directed and patient centered.
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. AT/LMAT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 Requirements: Individuals appointed or reassigned to an AT position in the GS-0101 series must: 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 Complete one of the following: i 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: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-07). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders as interrelated to SUDs. Ability to complete assessments of substance use disorders, treatment planning and continued care planning. Ability to develop and maintain effective working or therapeutic relationships with multidisciplinary staff, Veterans and their families. 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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the full performance level. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
The Addiction Therapist is a member of the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (DRRTP) that emphasizes the Recovery Model of Rehabilitation, incorporating Evidenced Based Practices in programming and recovery plan development, to include motivational interviewing, CBT, Seeking Safety modalities, and other EBP components. The Addiction Therapist should demonstrate knowledge of community-based resources that will assist the Veteran in continuing an individual program of recovery after completion of the initial phase of treatment, whether in the domiciliary or intensive outpatient programming. Major Duties: Interviews the Patient: Conducts assessments utilizing questionnaires or other measurement devices, or observes the Veteran to assess emotional, functional and other related levels of individual functioning. Independently conducts initial screening of patients. Gathers social, drug, family and military history and reasons for referral. Prepares written psychosocial assessments and individual recovery plans based on knowledge of Veteran's background, medical history, and the Veterans' individual report for use with members of the treatment team, or for use with the Veteran to collaborate in the development of the Veteran's plan for recovery. Coordinates Recovery Programming for Eligible Veterans: Assists in determining appropriate recovery and rehabilitation planning with individual Veterans, along with other clinical members of the inner-disciplinary review team. Recommends and assists the Veteran in setting standards of achievement and goals for evaluation of progress. Serves as a member of the inner-disciplinary recovery planning treatment team and works with the Veteran and other professionals to formulate recovery and follow-up plans for each patient. Provides Counseling and Recovery-based Services: Provides individual and group counseling, and makes appropriate referral to other professional resources, interconnected to the DRRTP as necessary to ensure continuation of care in recovery programming. Conducts therapeutic short-term, in-depth counseling in accordance with specific guidelines, occasionally conducts crisis intervention or other emergency interventions as appropriate. Conducts group, family and individual therapeutic counseling sessions to ensure the Veteran receives continuing support for the personal plan of recovery. Observes patient behaviors and responses to varying situations, and shares with the Veteran, other discipline professionals, and the recovery planning team in reviewing and modifying recovery and continuity of care plans. Contributes to team decisions concerning the necessary guidelines and supports required for the therapeutic progress of both individual Veterans and the community in general and recommends degrees of support and community program placements. When appropriate, the addiction therapist will conduct assessments for substance abuse, vocational service planning, housing support, and other related recovery programming, to ensure that the Veteran engages in a comprehensive program of recovery. Evaluates Progress; Adjusts Treatment as Necessary: Maintains appropriate Veteran records, charting information necessary to ensure that an accurate portrayal of the Veteran's activities, condition, and progress is documented in the Veteran's chart. Evaluates patient's progress on a bi-weekly (or more often) basis to assess the current condition and progress while participating in the personal plan for recovery. Contributes to treatment team decisions concerning adjustments to treatment, including privileges, therapeutic leaves of absence, readiness for job placement readiness for education and training programs, and readiness for discharge. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: