ADDICTION THERAPIST

Summary The Addiction Therapist (AT) works within the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) treatment team providing psychotherapy services to the RRTP Veterans in person presenting with substance use and addiction problems, including but not limited to, group and individual psychotherapy using evidence-based practices. This is an open-continuous announcement. It establishes a standing register of eligible applicants which closes on 04/26/2024 or until all positions have been filled. Responsibilities Assigned Duties: The RRTP SUD specialist is to coordinate treatment planning and delivery of services that best meet the needs of patients diagnosed with SUD. Providing direct, concurrent, clinical care using established evidence-based practices for Veterans with SUD presenting to the team. The specialist will provide a range of psychological interventions (family, individual and group) consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on evidenced-based treatments for SUD. Evidence-based treatments to be provided to Veterans individually or in group format with appropriate documentation and measurement of effectiveness and Veteran response using clinical judgment and standardized assessment instruments. Provides administrative duties including: Scheduling of Veterans and related issues, returning Veterans' phone calls and secure messages, attending organizational meetings. On-going professional training and experiences are an expectation of the position. This duty is met through workshops, intra-VA assignments, and distance learning. Occasionally, the employee will provide clinical coverage for an absent staff member, as deemed necessary by supervisor. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Complies with all EHRM documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Chief of Behavioral Health Service Line, RRTP Chief, RRTP Program Manager, Chief of Staff, and facility Director Other collateral duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am to 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) Residential/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 05/31/2024. 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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized 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: 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). Refer to additional information for more information. Grade Requirements and Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, the following grade determination requirements must be met: Grade Requirements, GS-5: 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 Grade Requirements, GS-7: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-5); 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: 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 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 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. 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. Grade Requirements, GS-9: Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-7). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience/education requirements, 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/155 Part II Appendix G76 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education Important: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.