Addiction Therapist (Masters)

Description:

Addiction Therapist 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 and families, an group-oriented therapies. VHA Addiction Therapists can be assigned to VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, Readjustment Counseling Service/ VET Centers, Veterans Integrated Service-Network (VISN) offices and VHA Central Office.

Requirements:

Basic Requirements : To qualify for appointment or placement to these occupational assignments, all applicants must possess the following:

• United States 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. LMATs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S. § 7403(f).
• Education. Hold a Master's degree in drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university.
• Licensure: An individual in an AT or LMAT position must hold a state's highest level of recognition for the specified level/position being filled in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. The required license and certification must be full, current, and unrestricted.
  • Exception. The Secretary or designee may waive the licensure requirement for selectees who are otherwise qualified, pending state acceptance of completion of state prerequisites at the master's level. Licensures can be waived for three years from the date of employment. This exception is allowed on the condition that non-licensed LMATs appointed on this basis provide care only under the clinical supervision of an LMAT from the designated assignments to provide clinical supervision. Non-licensed LMAT applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be appointed as LMATs under the authority of 38 U.S.C.§ 7401(3). This exception applies only at the GS-09 entry grade level and individuals may not be promoted/converted until they obtain the required license. For grades/assignments at or above the full performance level, candidates must be licensed at the master's level.
  • Failure to Obtain Licensure. Prior to the time of appointment, HR Office staff will provide uncertified or unlicensed LMATs, the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. In all cases, LMATs must actively pursue meeting requirements for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. If LMATs fail to obtain licensure during this time period, their employment may be terminated.
  • Loss of License. In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure or certification, which may also result in separation from employment

Grade Determination:
Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-09.

1. Education, License and Experience. The GS-09 grade level is the entry grade level for LMATs who have:
   • Less than one year of experience post licensure; OR
   • LMATS at the masters level who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice (Journey) level. Unlicensed LMATs at the GS-09 grade level must have completed the required education listed in paragraph 1.a. above and are working toward obtaining a full, current, and unrestricted license in a jurisdiction for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) In addition tot he basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.
   • Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders and the interrelationship of SUDs.
   • Knowledge of basic recovery programs and resources.
   • Skill in providing individual and group therapy, including using certain SUD Evidenced-Based Therapy (EBTs).
   • Skill in developing and maintaining effective working or therapeutic relationships with multidisciplinary staff, Veterans and their families, and community resources to ensure appropriate referrals.
   • Ability to complete the assessment of substance use disorders, treatment/recovery planning and continuing care planning.
   • Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress consistent with VA national policy and within scope of certification and secure appropriate interventions.

Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in an entry-level developmental LMAT positions. Duties may include but are not limited to counseling and providing psychoeducation, including EBT for individuals, groups, families and couples. LMATs assist in the caseload management of all patients in the program. LMATs assist in developing treatment plans (reviews and updates) and contribute to team decisions, 12 including the necessary determination of readiness for discharge. LMATs, at this level, assist in monitoring medication compliance as appropriate to assigned programs. They help maintain compliance with VA standards of care, accreditation bodies such as the Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and other compliance agencies as appropriate to assigned programs and best practices of care (i.e., Opioid Treatment Program, Drug Enforcement Agency, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration. They conduct intake and needs assessments of Veterans with their significant others, extended family and others in the psychosocial network and support systems under supervision. LMATs ascertain the employment history and difficulties encountered in employment through assessment for vocational services planning to assist Veterans in meeting their vocational goals. They review outside records as they become available and prepare correspondence related to the patient's rehabilitation, such as letters for courts, letters for an employer and other agencies upon the request of the patient. Under close supervision, LMATs may provide crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress. LMATs develop and maintain appropriate communication, rapport and positive working relationship with various institutions, organizations and service providers.

Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-11

• Education. Hold a master's degree or higher in drug and alcohol studies or related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university.
• Licensure. Individuals appointed or reassigned to an LMAT position must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license in a jurisdiction for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treat Revised 2/14/23-FB 4
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
  • Skill to independently complete assessments of substance use disorders, treatment planning and continued care planning.
  • Skill to apply the principles, concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in the treatment of individuals with SUDs.
  • Skill to collaborate and consult on medical or other psychiatric disorders as interrelated to SUDs.
  • Ability to apply various community-based recovery programs and resources in a treatment plan.

Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation for the specific level (bachelor's degree or master's degree) in alcohol and drug studies or comparable degree in a behavioral health field (i.e., social work, psychology, counseling) and includes work as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor directly related to the position to be filled. The experience must be comparable to AT/LMAT experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled.
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Preferred Experience: One year experience with Outpatient Intensive Substance Use Disorder (OISUDS).

References: VA Handbook 5005/155 November 30, 2022, PART II, APPENDIX G76-A

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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9 or GS-11.