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Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Dayton VA Medical Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is the Full Performance Level for the Licensed Master's Addiction Therapist. The incumbent works at the Dayton VAMC, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Department, and reports to the SUD Manager. This incumbent functions as an Addiction Therapist in the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment programs located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The position requires extensive work with veterans diagnosed with substance use disorders.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/09/2025 to 06/20/2025
Salary
$76,693 to - $99,696 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Dayton, OH
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSR-12745580-25-SH
Control number
838403100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens

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Duties

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Licensed Masters Addiction Therapists (LMATs) independently provide addiction screening/assessments, orientation/education, treatment planning and counseling in person or via telehealth.

Duties

  • The position requires extensive work with veterans diagnosed with substance use disorders. The SUD population of veterans will receive a variety of therapeutic services such as medication assisted therapy, addiction education, group therapy, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, case management and service coordination.
  • The incumbent will provide treatment in all areas of SUD treatment including residential SUD treatment, outpatient SUD treatment, and the medication assisted treatment (MAT) program. This is in accordance with VHA mission and professional standards.
  • The incumbent functions as an addiction therapist on an interdisciplinary team. The position requires extensive work with veterans diagnosed with addiction disorders. Work is also done in the context of both interdisciplinary treatment team and extensive liaison activities with other programs that provide continuity of care services at the necessary level of support.
  • LMATs provide evidenced-based practices in programming and recovery plan development.
  • Analyze problems and interpret and adapt guidelines such as policies, regulations, precedents, etc. for application to specific problems and recommend changes.
  • 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.
  • LMATs are part of the team that formulates discharge plans and arranges referrals to community agencies and organizations.
  • 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.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Tour of duty includes 1 weekend day and 4 weekdays, either Sunday - Thursday 8:00am - 4:30pm or Tuesday - Saturday 8:00am - 4:30pm. To be negotiated upon hiring.
Functional Statement #: 93219-A
Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. It typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration. There will be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of relatively light objects. The position may also require stooping, reaching, lifting, pulling, and other moderate exertion or strain. Incumbent may occasionally have to walk some distance to a meeting.

Requirements

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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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • 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.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

  • Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
  • English Language Proficiency. LMAT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required 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/Certification. 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.
    • Loss of License. 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, which may also result in separation from employment.
Grandfathering Provision.
All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation.
(2) Employees in an occupation that requires licensure, certification, or registration may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
(3) Employees in an occupation that require a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before being promoted to those higher grade levels.
(4) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification, or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(6) Employees retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision who leave that occupation or employment with the VA, lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA.

Grade Determination:
Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-11
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade.
  • 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. 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.
    • 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.
    • Loss of License. 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, which may also result in separation from employment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Skill to independently complete assessments of substance use disorders, treatment planning and continued care planning.
(b) Skill to apply the principles, concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in the treatment of individuals with SUDs
(c) Skill to collaborate and consult on medical or other psychiatric disorders as interrelated to SUDs.
(d) Ability to apply various community-based recovery programs and resources in a treatment plan.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

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/.

Foreign Education. There is no substitution for foreign education for this occupation; therefore, foreign education evaluation is not applicable.

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.

Additional information

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

How you will be evaluated

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

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.

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