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.

Duties

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 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 12/20/2023. 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 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 Treatment. 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. 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-9: 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 master's 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the 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. At the entry-level, close clinical supervision is provided by higher-level LMATs. Duties may include but are not limited to counseling and providing psychoeducation, including EBT for individuals, groups, families and couples. Services are offered by LMATs either individually or as co-leader. 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, 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. LMATs use their knowledge of community-based resources to assist with recovery, including housing support. 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. For GS-11: See Education Tab

Education

For GS-11:

• Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade, GS-09.
• Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current and unrestricted license in a State for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment.
• NOTE: Applicants who meet the qualifications requirements for an AT at the full performance level, who have a minimum of one year experience at that level and who have obtained the master's degree and license will be qualified at the GS-11 level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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.
• Assignment. This assignment is the full performance level, for LMATs. At the full performance level LMATs independently provide addiction screening/assessments, orientation/education, treatment planning and counseling in person or via telehealth. They analyze problems and interpret and adapt guidelines such as policies, regulations, precedents, etc. for application to specific problems and recommend changes. LMATs provide evidenced-based practices in programming and recovery plan development. They provide psychoeducation for individuals, groups, families and couples either as leaders or co-leader. LMATs administer crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress handling emergencies within the scope of practice. They perform clinical supervision and oversight of patient care. They handle the coordination of treatment, and management of acute and chronic substance use and mental health issues. LMATs manage a caseload of patients with complex addictions, and mental and related physical problems. LMATs involve participants and their identified support systems in the treatment via education, treatment and planning. They develop a diagnostic evaluation/summary of the client's substance abuse and coexisting conditions. LMATs utilize assessment and diagnostic evaluations to develop an individualized treatment plan; and incorporate assessments and psychological testing results from physical exams and urine toxicology data for use by a multidisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan. They make recommendations to the treatment team regarding readiness for discharge. LMATs are part of the team that formulates discharge plans and arranges referrals to community agencies and organizations. They ascertain the employment history to include employment difficulties; and conduct an assessment for vocational services planning and housing support and provide community-based resources that assist with recovery. LMATs collaborate with other disciplines to compile data to ensure quality patient care and compliance with Joint Commission Standards and ensure current information is available.

Preferred Experience: CADC License and 1 year experience with SUD therapy in a group setting.

References: VA Handbook 5005/155, PART II APPENDIX G76The 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-9 to GS-11.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address White City VA Medical Center 8495 Crater Lake Highway White City, OR 97503 US
• Name: John Buan
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X59964
• Email: [email protected]