Summary

Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Prepared) (AT). ATs in this level assignment are dependent providers and perform work under guidance of Addiction Therapists (Licensed Master's) in designated assignments. Although some jurisdictions may recognize ATs with a bachelor's degree as an independent provider - VHA only recognizes a professional with possession of a bachelor's degree as a dependent provider.

Qualifications

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
• Physical Standards
• Pre-employment physical evaluation and drug testing English Language Proficiency
• ATs/LMATs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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: Individuals appointed or reassigned to an AT position in the GS-0101 series must: Hold a full - current and unrestricted state license in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment
• AND Complete one of the following: International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Certification
• or National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors - National Certified Addiction Counselor Level(1)
• Loss of License: Management officials - in collaboration with Human Resource (HR) Office staff must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure which may also result in separation from employment
• 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 Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve in an entry-level developmental position
• ATs in the entry-level assignment will receive close clinical supervision and guidance from an LMAT and meet weekly with an assigned clinical supervisor
• Duties include - but are not limited to - assisting with intake/assessments - facilitating program orientation or educational sessions and treatment planning
• ATs identify patients experiencing psychological distress and engage licensed clinicians as necessary to provide crisis intervention
• They maintain appropriate records and chart accurate information
• They develop and maintain appropriate communication - rapport and positive working relationship with various institutions - organizations and service providers
• 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
• AND Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience/education requirements - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
• Knowledge of principles - concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in treatment of individuals with SUDs
• Knowledge of appropriate documentation of substance use history and treatment
• Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress
• Assignment
• ATs in this level assignment will receive clinical supervision and guidance from designated LMAT
• ATs assist with addiction screening - assessments - orientation - education - treatment planning and counseling
• They identify patients experiencing psychological distress and engage licensed clinicians as necessary to provide crisis intervention
• ATs assist in developing an evaluation/summary of the client's substance use and any co-occurring conditions based on the results of assessments to provide an integrated approach to treatment planning based on the client's strengths - preferences and identified problems and needs
• ATs participate with a multidisciplinary team regarding treatment planning
• They communicate with a variety of institutions - organizations and service providers
• Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Prepared) (AT) GS-09
• Experience
• One year of experience equivalent at the next lower grade of GS-07
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience/education requirements - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
• Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders as interrelated to SUDs
• Ability to complete assessments of substance use disorders - treatment planning and continued care planning
• 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
• Assignment
• This is the full performance level assignment for ATs
• ATs perform intake/assessments using a biopsychosocial history which could include urine toxicology/breathalyzer data and/or collateral information
• They provide case management and counseling on issues that involve substance use
• ATs conduct and utilize designated measurement tools for baseline and follow up care
• They assist with the utilization of the assessment and in collaboration with the patient - create an individualized treatment plan and continuing care plans
• ATs provide addiction related psychoeducation for individuals/groups/couples and provide evidence-based psychosocial interventions
• They provide crisis intervention to patients who are in psychological distress consistent with VA national policy and within scope of practice to include engaging licensed mental health clinicians when clinically indicated
• ATs are part of the treatment team that includes licensed independent practitioners that formulate plans during the continuum of care and at discharge - arrange referrals to agencies and organizations as needed
• Preferred Experience: VA Handbook 5005/155 November 30 - 2022 - PART II - APPENDIX G76-A Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position is in a normal setting within medical center with bending - walking - stretching - light lifting - etc
• Patient care involves infection control and standard precautions.

Duties

• Addiction Therapists (Bachelor's Prepared) and Addiction Therapists (Licensed Master's) work with individuals - couples - families - and groups providing psychosocial treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and addressing the effects of SUD on interpersonal relationships using individual - couples - families - and group-oriented therapies
• VHA Addiction Therapists (Bachelor's Prepared) and Addiction Therapists (Licensed Master's) can be assigned to VA Medical Centers - Community-Based Outpatient Clinics - Readjustment Counseling Service /Vet Centers - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) offices and VHA Central Office
• FUNCTIONS/DUTIES: The incumbent receives patients and provides psychological and social assessments as part of the intake of individuals into the substance abuse program
• The incumbent interviews - uses questionnaires or other measurement devices - or observes the patient to assess emotional - functional - or psychological condition
• Independently conduct initial screening of patients
• Gathers social - drug - family and military history and reasons for referral
• Prepares written assessments based on knowledge of patient's background and medical history for use by members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team or for own use to develop treatment
• Determines patient's eligibility for treatment
• Independently determines patient's eligibility for treatment
• In instances when guidance doesn't clearly cover and individual circumstance documents decision to admit or refuse treatment
• As an advocate for the patient - prepares exceptions or solicits additional information when eligibility is in question
• The incumbent determines appropriate treatment or rehabilitation for individual patients
• Recommends and assist the patient in setting standards of behavior and goals for evaluation of progress
• Serves as a member of the Mulit-disciplinary treatment team and works with other professionals to formulate treatment and follow-up plans for each patient
• Provides individual and group counseling - makes appropriate referral to community or other professional resources as necessary for effective rehabilitation
• Conduct therapeutic short-term - in-depth counseling in accordance with specific guidelines and may occasionally handle crisis intervention or other emergency situations
• Conducts group - family - and individual therapeutic counseling sessions
• Observes patient behaviors and reaction patterns for use by higher level professionals or the treatment team in reviewing and modifying treatment and/or follow-up plans
• Contributes to team decisions concerning necessary controls and restrictions required to the therapeutic progress of both individual patients and the community in general and recommends degrees of supervision required
• Trains other therapist and medical personnel in intervention and restraint techniques - crisis-oriented counseling - and other Germaine subjects
• Maintains appropriate records - charting information necessary to ensure an accurate portrayal of the patient's activities - condition - and progress
• Evaluates patient's records on a recurring basis to assess the current condition and progress
• Contributes to team decisions concerning adjustment to treatment - including privileges - therapeutic - leaves of absence - readiness for job placement readiness for special education programs - and readiness for discharge
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8am-4:30pm Functional Statement #: 613-24144F-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required