Addiction Therapist

Summary HUD-VASH is an intensive case management program for chronically homeless Veterans aimed at providing psychosocial services to Veterans while residing in stable housing through HUD's Section 8 voucher system. The incumbent in this position functions as the Medical Center's Liaison/Case Manager for Central California's VAMC's Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program Department of Housing and Urban Development / VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH). 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 b>United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy b>English Language Proficiency b>AT/LMAT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education AT and LMAT candidates must meet the education requirements defined in the specific sub‑appendix for the position being filled. Foreign education: There is no substitution for foreign education for this occupation; foreign education evaluation is not applicable. 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/Certification Reference to "license", "licensure", "certification" or "non‑licensed" throughout the standard and sub‑appendices is implied for different levels of certification and license granted by level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia depending on the highest level of recognition for practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. AT and LMAT candidates must meet the licensure requirements defined in the specific sub‑appendix for the position being filled. (1) 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; (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. Loss of License or Certification: 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. Experience Entry‑level assignment is used for ATs who are licensed with less than one year of experience. ATs in the entry‑level assignment will receive close clinical supervision and guidance from an LMAT and meet weekly with an assigned clinical supervisor. Grade Determinations Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS‑05 – Entry level. In addition to the basic requirements, at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade is required for GS‑07. 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 with an exemplary academic record (e.g., 3.0 or higher). Duties Evidence‑Based Psychotherapy – The AT will seek VA‑approved training and certification to provide competent evidence‑based interventions for a variety of mental health and addictive disorder diagnoses. Psychotherapy may be needed in individual, group, couple, or family formats as required by the patient population. Psychosocial Assessment – The AT will develop an evaluation/assessment of the Veteran's substance use, family, economic, community, and psychosocial support systems, incorporating assessment and diagnostic evaluations to develop an individualized treatment plan that integrates psychological testing results from physical exams and urine toxicology data. Assessment of psychological distress and crisis intervention – The AT will identify patients experiencing psychological distress and engage licensed clinicians as necessary. Documentation – Maintain accurate records, chart, and ongoing treatment plans. Coordination – Communicate with a variety of institutions, organizations, and service providers, serving the multidisciplinary team in treatment planning. Regional alignment – Duties are consistent with GS‑5, GS‑7, and GS‑9 level responsibilities, including evidence‑based psychotherapy, psychosocial assessment, and collaboration with clinical supervisors. Work Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 08944F – 08945F – 08946F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs