The Substance Use Disorder Program Chief/Program Manager works in the Mental Health Services(MHS), within the Mental Health Residential Treatment Program (MHRRTP) and Outpatient Addiction Treatment Programs. The incumbent is responsible for overall operations and supervision of the Substance Use Disorder Program. This involves the direct supervision of all staff assigned to the section.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Planning and directing the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program coverage and assigning staff according to program needs and individual staff capability. SUD Chief ensures Evidence Based Therapy and Measurement Based Care are fully implemented and utilized. Ensures that essential clinical functions are coordinated and provided, which include but are not limited to: Assessment, intervention, and recovery-oriented care management and treatment planning. Community liaison and networking services. Outreach services as appropriate. Case management for a variety of special populations. Crisis intervention services. Patient and family education. Tele-mental Health services. Oversees and provides the coordination and assignment of S&BHS staff during disasters, drills and emergencies when indicated. Drafts assigned facility level policies and institutes necessary revisions. Assists with monitoring the completion of mental health consults with subsequent care coordination and referral in accordance with national standards and directives. Supervising and evaluating the work of the employees assigned to the SUD Section In concert with VA policies/procedures and the Uniform Mental Health Handbook, the SUD Chief will work with other Mental Health staff to develop policy and procedures for the daily functioning within the clinic and the MHRRTP. Providing administrative input into the development and planning of the service as a whole, keeping the ACOS-MH appraised of changes/needs. Actively implements LEAN principles, supports quality improvement projects and promotes a culture of continuous quality improvement. Responsible for program development and monitoring performance metrics to ensure care provided is effective. Maintaining records, statistics, audits, quality assurance, and narrative reports as assigned. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the accuracy of information provided by staff. Assuming committee and special assignments necessary for the operation of SUD. Providing clinical consultation and direction for the non-routine, non-typical case or problem situation. Maintaining positive working relationships with other units in the Service and throughout the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS). Developing and maintaining good working relationships with key community agencies and resource persons. The SUD Chief's responsibilities involve meaningful contact with the AVAHS professional and support personnel from different disciplines on behalf of patients. The incumbent is in contact with a wide variety of patients, their families and significant others and a broad range of community agencies and staff to gather information needed to make accurate assessments for SUD intervention, suitable continuing care plan, facilitate referrals for follow up services and provide ongoing services. The Chief has a reduced case load and acts in a consultative and advisory capacity to SUD staff. Providing direct clinical services. Incumbent is engaged in evaluating the needs of patients and families and problem solving in regard to a broad range of physical, social, and economic needs. The complexity varies from task oriented assessment services to extremely sensitive and complex personal and family problem solving situations. The SUD Chief is available to consult with staff on the more complex situations related to substances abuse and dually diagnosed patients. Making recommendations for professional development of assigned staff. Participates in recruiting qualified nurses, AMSAs, and other professional staff as required. This may include but is not limited to: psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurse practitioners. Participates in interviewing, selection, orientation of selected or assigned staff. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Available, on an ad-hoc basis, based on the needs of the agency. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Preferred Experience: At least one year of experience in a leadership role At least one year experience working in a Substance Use Disorder environment Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Straight pulling (1 hour), Pulling hand over hand, Pushing (2 hours), Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2 hours), Standing (2 hours), Kneeling (1 hour), Repeated bending (1 hour), Both legs required, Operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), Emotional/mental stability.

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 TRANSCRIPTS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THAT EDUCATION.

For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Laura Wallace
• Phone: 5414401000 X40529
• Email: [email protected]