Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level)

Description:

The Bachelor's Level Addiction Therapist (AT) provides Addiction Therapy-focused counseling and treatment services to eligible Veterans presenting with substance use and addiction problems.

The closing date for this announcement was extended until 4/4/2025. If you previously applied, you do not need to reapply. However, you may update your application packet during this time.

Requirements:

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/certified 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:
    1. Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license/certification in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia to practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment; AND
    2. 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.

Grandfathering Provision: 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 Determinations :

For GS-5:

• Experience: The entry level assignment is used for ATs who are licensed/certified with less than one year of experience. There is no experience outside of the basic requirements
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: None
• Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve in an entry-level developmental position. ATs in the entry-level assignment will receive close clinical supervision and guidance from an LMAT and meet weekly with an assigned clinical supervisor. Duties include, but are not limited to, assisting with intake/assessments, facilitating program orientation or educational sessions and treatment planning. ATs identify patients experiencing psychological distress and engage licensed clinicians as necessary to provide crisis intervention. They maintain appropriate records and chart accurate information. They develop and maintain appropriate communication, rapport and positive working relationship with various institutions, organizations and service providers.

For GS-7:

• Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. 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.
• Assignment: ATs in this level assignment will receive clinical supervision and guidance from designated LMAT. 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 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. ATs participate with a multidisciplinary team regarding treatment planning. They communicate with a variety of institutions, organizations and service providers.

• In addition to the experience/education requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
  • 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

For GS-9:

• Experience : In addition to the basic requirements, must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. AND Must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
  • 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. Although the ATs are dependent providers and perform work under guidance of LMATs, ATs at this level 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 evidence-based psychosocial interventions. They provide crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress consistent with VA national policy and within the 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, and arrange referrals to agencies and organizations as needed.

Preferred Experience: Possess knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methods of counseling and therapies used in treatment of individuals with SUD's.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.