Career Center

Summary

Addiction Therapists (Bachelor's Level) work with individuals - couples - families - and groups providing psychosocial treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and addressing the effects of SUD on interpersonal relationships using individual - couples - families - and group-oriented therapies.

Qualifications

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
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services for requirements
• 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
• In some states individuals may not be required to hold a bachelor's degree to be licensed in Alcohol and Drug Treatment
• VHA may not waive education requirements even if the candidate has a state license
• Licensure: Hold a full - current and unrestricted state license in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment AND Complete one of the following: National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) - Level 1
• OR International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) - Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification (CASAC) Loss of License
• 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
• Grade Determinations: Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Prepared) (AT) GS-09
• Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS-07
• Experience at the GS-07 grade level includes: Assists with addiction screening - assessments - orientation - education - treatment planning and counseling used in treatment of individuals with SUDS.
• Identify patients experiencing psychological distress and engage licensed clinicians as necessary to provide crisis intervention
• Assists in developing an evaluation/summary of the client's substance use and any co-occurring conditions based on the results of assessments to provide an integrated approach to treatment planning based on the client's strengths - preferences and identified problems and needs
• Knowledge of appropriate documentation of substance use history and treatment
• Participate with a multidisciplinary team regarding treatment planning
• Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress
• Communicate with a variety of institutions - organizations and service providers
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for the GS-09 grade level
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/155 November 30 - 2022 - PART II - APPENDIX G76-A The full performance level of this vacancy is 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

• Receives patients and provides psychological and social assessments as part of the intake of individuals into the substance abuse program
• Interviews - uses questionnaires or other measurement devices - or observes the patient to assess emotional - functional - or psychological condition
• Independently conducts initial screening of patients
• Gathers social - drug - family and military history and reasons for referral
• Prepares written assessments based on knowledge of patient's background and medical history for use by members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team or for won us to develop treatment
• Independently determines patient's eligibility for treatment and documents decision to admit or refuse treatment
• As an advocate for the patient - prepares exceptions or solicits additional information when eligibility is in question
• Determines appropriate treatment or rehabilitation for individual patients
• Recommends and assists the patient in setting standards of behavior and goals for evaluation of progress
• Serves as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team and works with other professionals to formulate treatment and follow-up plans for each patient
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 24144F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized