Substance Abuse Counselor

Summary

About the Position: This position is in the Directorate for Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation Program(SARP) Department, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), Virginia. This position is physically located on the NMCP campus. Work is performed in a multi-story SARP outpatient clinic, residential treatment facility, and inpatient mental health unit. The main SARP facility does not have an elevator.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation

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Duties

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• Provides initial patient interview, screening, biopsychosocial assessment, and individual and group counseling to patients (i.e., military members and family members with substance use and co-occurring disorders) following specified guidance.
• Performs educational workshops, presentations, treatment coordination and appropriate clerical documentation in accordance with American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) .
• Assess patients for substance abuse disorders and other mental disorders according to the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
• Evaluates and makes professional judgments and decisions for situations that require immediate crisis intervention under the supervision of the Senior Counselor and Licensed Independent Provider (LIP).
• Facilitates therapy, leads psychoeducational substance abuse and dependency issues groups, performs assessments, and makes treatment recommendations.
• Assists in the training and supervision of addiction counselor interns and students. The incumbent is responsible for attending all required clinical supervision sessions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position is required to be screened for and obtain necessary immunizations/vaccinations (hepatitis, influenza, etc.), unless exempted by a licensed physician.
• This position requires a pre-employment physical and annually thereafter.
• This position is designated Tier 3, Non-Critical Sensitive, Moderate Risk and requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance Level as a condition of employment.
• Must obtain and maintain currency in Basic Life Support (BLS).
• International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC and RC) for Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC) OR an independent clinical license is required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Substance Abuse Counselor

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, such as social work, psychology or substance abuse.

OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

C. Experience: Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting healthcare providers with behavioral health treatment options for patients such as assisting with conducting interviews with patients to evaluate for substance abuse or other behavioral health disorders; assisting with maintaining patient treatment plan records to track patient's treatment progress; and assisting with the development of treatment plans to address psychosocial needs of patients. This specialized experience is equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.