Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level)

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. 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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. 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 During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Read more Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.