Incumbent is assigned to the Mental Health Service, Addiction Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) Program and functions as a part of an outpatient addiction interdisciplinary team. Services are carried out in full accordance with specific program goals and broad objectives of the VA health care system.

Duties

Participates in the professional activities of the ARTS program as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team. Specific duties include: a. Conducts initial screening interviews with new patients seeking treatment in the ARTS program using the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Multidimensional Assessment criteria. b. Completes initial and screening evaluations of substance use disorders and comprehensive biopsychosocial substance use assessments which includes assessment of the patient's support system. c. In conjunction with the patient, formulates an initial treatment plan, with a focus on patient identified goals. Explains treatment plans, follow-up and aftercare possibilities. Acts as liaison between the patient and the multidisciplinary treatment team. Participates in development of a person-centered, culturally sensitive treatment plan for each patient with whom major contact is expected, with measurable goals outlined. d. Provides input when considering patient discharge and after-care needs, referral resources and prognosis for continued treatment. e. Provides addiction related psychoeducation for individuals/groups/couples and evidenced-based psychosocial interventions. f. Provides case management and counseling on issues that involve substance use. g. Engaging licensed mental health providers when clinically indicated, incumbent will provide crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress. h. Observes patient behaviors possibly indicating difficulty adapting or responding to treatment (e.g., missed assessment appointments, failure to attend or maintain abstinence, risk to self or to others, disruptive behavior, etc.), completes appropriate documentation and reports concerns to the ARTS supervisor or treatment team in a timely manner. Coordinates appropriate referrals to other team members or other behavioral health services outside ARTS when clinically indicated. i. The Addiction Therapist may provide consultation, assistance, and education to other members of MHS regarding substance abuse issues either informally through patient consultation or formally via educational seminars. Additionally, the Addiction Therapist may provide assistance with consultation and training to other clinicians, often trainees, within the incumbent's scope, expertise, and ability. j. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. k. Attends regularly scheduled treatment team meetings to ensure efficiency and continuity of service delivery to specialize patient population. l. Ensures timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by NCHCS. m. Responds to Veterans' phone calls, linking of services and appropriate referrals as needed in a timely manner. n. Ensures timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by NCHCS. o. Collaborates with other services, as well as with community, health, welfare and service agencies. p. Completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at the program, service line and Medical Center level. q. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-Friday 0800-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. 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 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 Requirements: Individuals appointed or reassigned to an AT position in the GS-0101 series must: (a) Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia to practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment; AND (b) Complete one of the following: i International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Certification; or ii National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1. Foreign Education. There is no substitution for foreign education for this occupation; therefore, foreign education evaluation is not applicable. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. AT/LMAT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). 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). Grade Determinations: Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-05: Experience. The entry level assignment is used for ATs who are licensed with less than one year of experience. There is no experience outside of the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). None Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-07. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; 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:(a) 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(b) 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(c) Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university or major subdivision based on completed courses. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience/education requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.(a) Knowledge of principles, concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in treatment of individuals with SUDs.(b) Knowledge of appropriate documentation of substance use history and treatment.(c) Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress. Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-09. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders as interrelated to SUDs.(b) Ability to complete assessments of substance use disorders, treatment planning and continued care planning.(c) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/155, PART II, APPENDIX G76The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Education

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Northern California Health Care System 10535 Hospital Way Mather, CA 95655 US
• Name: Amanda Bodkin
• Phone: 925-356-5886
• Email: [email protected]