Job Details

Addiction Therapist

The Addiction Therapist functions as part of the Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) within the HCHV Program. HUD-VASH is an intensive case management program serving chronically homeless and homeless Veterans aimed at providing psychosocial services to Veterans to obtain and maintain stable housing utilizing HUD's Section 8 voucher system.

Responsibilities duties for this position may include but are not limited to:

• 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 substance use disorders.
• Provides individual and group counseling services to patients and their families.
• Skill to collaborate and consult on medical or other psychiatric disorders as interrelated to substance use disorders.
• Ability to apply various community-based recovery programs and resources in a treatment plan.
• Strong skill in utilizing a harm approach model with substance using individuals within a housing first model.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: N/A Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements 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.
• 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).

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.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

• The basic requirements for employment as an Addiction Therapist are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(11). To qualify for appointment as an Addiction Therapist all applicants must:
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA.
• Education: Must hold a bachelor's (GS-09) or a master's degree or higher (GS-11) in drug and alcohol studies or related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university. TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED.
• Licensure: Individuals must possess a full, current and unrestricted license in a jurisdiction for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment.
• Driver's License - Must have a valid driver's license.

Grade Requirements:

• In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
• GS-09 The GS-09 grade level is the entry grade level for ATs who have: Less than one year of experience post licensure; OR, ATs at the Bachelor's level who are graduates and licensed at the independent practice (Journey) level.
• In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
• Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders and the interrelationship of substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of basic recovery programs and resources.
• Skill in providing individual and group therapy, including using certain substance use disorder 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.
• GS-11 Experience: One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade.
• Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current and unrestricted license in a State 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.
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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 substance use disorders.
• Skill to collaborate and consult on medical or other psychiatric disorders as interrelated to substance use disorders.
• Ability to apply various community-based recovery programs and resources in a treatment plan.

Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional Information:

• 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.
• 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.