Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level)

The Addiction Therapist (AT) is a member of the tracks, clinics, and treatment teams within Recovery Services (RS). The incumbent performs duties at the Columbus VA. This may include some evening tours of duty for the purpose of clinic coverage. The incumbent works with a multi-disciplinary team to provide guidance and support to Veterans in recovery. The AT should demonstrate knowledge of community-based resources that will assist the Veteran in continuing an individual program of recovery.

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:

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

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.

Foreign Education. There is no substitution for foreign education for this occupation; therefore, foreign education evaluation is not applicable.

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:
  • 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:

Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) 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

Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-07

Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05);

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 a related behavioral health field with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by:
(a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on four years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; OR
(b) 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 two years of the curriculum; OR
(c) 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 requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.
(a) Knowledge of principles, concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in treatment of individuals with SUDs.
(b) Knowledge of appropriate documentation of substance use history and treatment.
(c) Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress.

Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-09

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:
(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, from various backgrounds and community resources to ensure appropriate referrals.

Preferred Experience: Previous work in the field of addictions is preferred.

References: VA Handbook 5005/155, Part II, Appendix G76. The basic qualification requirements for individuals appointed under Addiction Therapist, General Schedule (GS)-0101.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-09.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, with occasional requirements to lift office supplies up to approximately 10 pounds. The work may require using appropriate technique to physically restrain clients who present a danger to self or others. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job function include but are not limited to close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to maintain a valid driver's license for facility driving privileges.

Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Evidence-Based Psychotherapy - The AT will seek VA approved training and certification to provide competent evidence-based interventions for a variety of mental health and addictive disorder diagnoses. Psychotherapy may be needed in individual, group, couple or family formats, as meet the needs of patient population.
• Assessment - The AT will assist/develop the evaluation/assessment of the Veteran's substance use, family, economic, community, and psychosocial support systems. Assessments will reflect a skillful and comprehensive view of the Veteran's current state of functioning and support. Clinical interview skills will be used to gather and document data that analyzes and interprets relevant strengths and needs directly related to patient health, care planning, treatment, education, internal/external supports and case management needs in order to optimize the Veteran's functional status and to help ensure that the Veteran is able to safely live in the least restrictive environment possible. ATs utilize assessment and diagnostic evaluations to develop an individualized treatment plan; and incorporate assessments and psychological testing results from physical exams and urine toxicology data for use by a multidisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan.
• Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The AT is responsible for setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran/family in collaboration with the RS interdisciplinary treatment teams. The AT will include psychosocial problems in the interdisciplinary treatment plan and will attend scheduled interdisciplinary care planning meetings. The AT will perform ongoing assessments and update treatment plans in accordance with program and facility policies. They make recommendations to the treatment team regarding readiness for discharge. ATs are part of the team that formulates discharge plans and arranges referrals to community agencies and organizations.
• Coordination of treatment- ATs assist in managing a caseload of patients with complex addictions and related mental and physical problems. The AT will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs. The AT may educate the Veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assist them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of the established surrogate decision-maker.
• Crisis Intervention - The AT is able to identify Veterans who are in psychological distress and works with licensed independent clinicians for crisis intervention and follow up. The incumbent will coordinate/access immediate medical attention for the Veteran via medical professionals should medical or psychiatric emergency occur.
• Education/Health promotion and prevention - The AT provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs.
• Discharge planning services - The AT assists with discharge plans for Veterans admitted to RS. The incumbent will work with the treatment team to discuss discharge options available to Veterans and their families and will collaborate with them on the preferred options. The AT may help coordinate the preferred options of the Veteran/family with the interdisciplinary team members. Driving privileges may be required for occasions where assistance is needed to help the Veteran with discharge needs to include housing and legal requirements.
• Supportive counseling - The AT will provide Veterans and their families with supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with mental health symptoms, substance use, or any co-occurring disorders. The AT will also provide education to Veterans/families about symptoms of illness, effects of such illnesses upon the family system and to identify healthy coping strategies to assist Veterans/families in the recovery process. The incumbent will be knowledgeable in the Recovery Model, the principles of holistic health, and will have a working knowledge of the role of trauma in crisis and mental health exacerbation during brief counseling interventions.
• Documentation & Administrative Requirements - The AT will understand and adhere to documentation requirements in the electronic medical record using appropriate content, format and templates. Required documentation will be completed and signed in the timeframes set by facility policy or national program requirements. Workload will be recorded in accordance with VHA policy and local medical center guidelines.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:92126-A/92127-A/921278-A/912129-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required