Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The announcement is open to current permanent employees of Jesse Brown and it's CBOC. 2: Current permanent employees of the VHA. 3: All other applicants.

Videos

Major Duties:

-Screening/Assessment: Identifies problems/needs form the assessment to be treated and develops the individual treatment plan.

-Counseling: Conducts evidence based, recovery oriented, psychotherapeutic counseling in accordance with specific guidelines and handles crises at an advanced clinical counseling practice level.

-Outpatient/Aftercare: Developing and implement methods to motivate veterans to participate in the various levels of this outpatient program.

- Provides education, training, mentoring, and/or clinical supervision to interdisciplinary trainees and professionals in and/or out of one's immediate work area, e.g., undergraduate or graduate students, medical students, residents, nursing students, fellows, other graduate or post-graduate trainees, and early career staff, as appropriate.

- Serves as a consultant to other hospital staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the mental/behavioral characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients.

-Performs other related professional duties as assigned by the supervisor, e.g., participating in program audits, site visits, tracers, environment of care rounds to facilitate internal or external reviews by inspectors, accrediting bodies and/or regulatory agencies.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00203F, 09661F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as an Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's).

United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English: Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402(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. Transcripts Required at time of application.

Licensure: Individuals appointed or reassigned to an LMAT position must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia to independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. Copy of license required at time of application.

Exception to Licensure: 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 Mater's level. Licensures can be waived for a period of three (3) years from the date of employment. This exception is allowed on the condition that non-licensed LMAT appointed on the basis provide care only under the clinical supervision of an LMAT from the designated assignments to provide clinical supervision.

Graduate LMAT: Non-licensed LMAT applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be appointed as LMATs under the authority of 38 USC 7401(3). This exception applies only at the GS-9 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.

Grade Requirements and Determination: In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, the follow is the criteria that must be met when determining the grade of the candidate.

Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's):Experience or Education. The GS-09 grade level is the entry grade level for LMATs who have:

A. Less than one year of experience post licensure; OR

B. 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 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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.

Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's)GS-11 (Full Performance Level): Experience: At least one (1) year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-09). NOTE: Applicants who meet the qualifications requirements for an AT at the full performance level of a GS-09, 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 as a LMAT.

Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service, paragraph 2.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other applicants.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.