Job Description

Summary

Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) (AT). The AT level is designated for those who are bachelor's prepared ATs and hold the state's highest-level recognition for practice as bachelor's prepared (i.e. - license or certification) in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. Although some states may recognize bachelor's prepared as an independent provider VHA only recognizes bachelor's prepared ATs as a dependent provider.

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
• Physical Standards
• Pre-employment physical examination and drug testing English Language Proficiency
• ATs/LMATs appointed to direct patient care positions 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: 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: 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
• Loss of License or certification
• Management officials - in collaboration with Human Resource (HR) Office staff must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure which may also result in separation from employment
• 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-05: Experience
• The entry level assignment is used for ATs who are licensed with less than one year of experience
• There is no experience outside of the basic requirements Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• None GS-07: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements - at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR Education (Advanced Entry Level Placement)
• Applicants who meet the GS-05 grade level may be appointed at the GS-07 grade level if they possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a major field of study in a drug and alcohol studies or in a related behavioral health field with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript - or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum
• or - 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum
• or - Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college - university or major subdivision based on completed courses
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience/education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
• Knowledge of principles - concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in treatment of individuals with SUDS
• Knowledge of appropriate documentation of substance use history and treatment
• Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress
• Assignment
• ATs in this level assignment will receive clinical supervision and guidance from designated Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) level
• ATs assist with addiction screening - assessments - orientation - education - treatment planning and counseling
• They identify patients experiencing psychological distress and engage licensed clinicians as necessary to provide crisis intervention
• ATs assist with the development of an evaluation/summary of the client's substance use and any co-occurring conditions based on the results of assessments in order to provide an integrated approach to treatment planning based on the client's strengths - preferences and identified problems and needs
• ATs participate with a multidisciplinary team regarding treatment planning
• They communicate with a variety of institutions - organizations and service providers
• GS-09: Experience
• One year of 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: 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 - from various backgrounds and community resources to ensure appropriate referrals
• Assignment
• This is the full performance level assignment for ATs
• ATs 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 provide evidence-based psychosocial interventions
• They provide crisis intervention to patients who are in psychological distress consistent with VA national policy and within 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 - arrange referrals to agencies and organizations as needed
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005/155 November 30 - 2022 - PART II - APPENDIX G76-A The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: This position is in a normal setting within medical center with bending - walking - stretching - light lifting - etc
• Patient care involves infection control and standard precautions.

Duties

• The incumbent treats assigned patients suffering from substance abuse and other addictive disorders
• This treatment of addictive disorders includes attending to the psychological - behavioral - and spiritual aspects of the disorder(s)
• This treatment involves assisting patients to begin to rebuild their lives which have been severely affected or destroyed by addictive problems
• This rebuilding requires attention to interpersonal relationships - family issues - vocational and legal issues
• Many of these patients have other diagnosable mental disorders
• Patients are referred to the Addiction Therapist for further assessment and treatment of the addictive disorder(s)
• Work Schedule: 8:00-4:30 M Telework: Ad hoc - per agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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