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Summary The San Diego VA Medical Center is recruiting for full-time Addiction Therapist in the Mental Health Service Line. Responsibilities Duties for this position may include but are not limited to: Conducts interviews, uses questionnaires or other measurement devices, or observes the patient to assess emotional, functional or psychological condition. Follows established procedures to conduct the initial screening of individuals gathering social drug, family and military history and reasons for referral. Observes patient behaviors and reaction patterns for use by higher level professions or in reviewing and in modifying patient's treatment plan. Provides individual and group counseling to patients and families, makes appropriate referral to community or other professional resources as necessary for effective rehabilitation. Conducts short-term, in depth substance use counseling in accordance with specific guidelines and may occasionally handle crisis intervention or emergency situations. Functions as a facilitator or co-facilitator providing counseling on everyday problems that surround inappropriate use/misuses of alcohol or other drugs. Determines appropriate treatment or rehabilitation for individual patients. Provides the results and disposition recommendations to the program coordinator or other higher graded professional. Acts as a liaison/resource person to public and private agencies to assure continuity of patient care and appropriate referral for patient and family members. Screening to determine need for SUD related care Evaluation and assessment of substance specific care needs using agency identified standards Orientation to program and general program expectations Individual/Group psychoeducation using agency identified standards Documentation in the electronic medical record using DAPO format or other format as required SME at Multidisciplinary team meetings for treatment and/or staff development purposes Relapse prevention planning specific to the patients needs Maintaining productivity standards as identified by each area of responsibility Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care Maintaining appropriate communication, rapport, and positive working relationships with a variety of organizations and service providers Other related duties as assigned which are appropriate to this grade and assignment Individual case management/correspondence specific to the patients identified legal/occupational needs Crisis intervention specific to patients identified needs and within agencies defined scope of practice Assists with vocational service planning Assists with referrals to community-based resources Analyze and interpret data and recommend changes to care and discharge planning Independently manages care needs of a caseload Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available 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. You may be required to serve a trial 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: 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 master's degree or higher 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-9The GS-09 grade level is the entry grade level for LMATs who have: Less than one year of experience post licensure; OR, 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 in paragraph 1.a. 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. 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 SUDs. Knowledge of basic recovery programs and resources. Skill in providing individual and group counseling, 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. GS-11Experience: 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 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. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. 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.