You will serve as the Addictions Therapist (Licensed Master) within the Mental Health Services located in Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center Walla Walla, Washington.

Duties

The Licensed Master's Addiction Therapist (LMAT) provides Addiction Therapy-focused counseling and treatment services to eligible Veterans presenting with substance use and addiction problems. LMATs utilize evidence-based addiction and behavioral health counseling models as they apply to modalities of care for individuals, groups, families, couples, and significant others. Provides direct clinical care under appropriate supervision for Veterans affected by Substance Use Disorders and non-diagnostic, problematic substance use through a range of behavioral health interventions consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on evidenced-based treatments for SUD. Performs clinical duties in both outpatient and residential programs while maintaining an active individual caseload of patients with complex addictions, mental and physical conditions, and life situations. Provides or assists under appropriate supervision with addiction screenings, assessments, orientation, education, treatment planning, counseling, documentation, and case management services in person and via telehealth. Assists screening and assessment of substance use disorders to complete a diagnostic evaluation and summary of the Veteran's substance use patterns, substance use diagnoses, and coexisting conditions. Assists with collaborating with other disciplines as needed to establish or rule out co occurring diagnoses and differential diagnoses. Incorporates pertinent biopsychosocial history to identify and support Veterans in addressing protective and risk factors that may affect treatment outcomes. Assists with substance evaluations and developing an individualized treatment plan that sets achievable goals with the Veteran and those involved in their care (family, significant other, treatment team, peers, friends). Provide orientation and psychoeducation for individuals, groups, families and couples either as a primary facilitator or co-facilitator. Assists with coordination of treatment and management of acute and chronic substance use and mental health issues. Makes recommendations to the treatment team regarding readiness for discharge or referral to other treatment programs as indicated. LMATs are part of the team that formulates discharge plans and arranges referrals to community agencies and organizations. May conduct needs assessment and assessment for vocational services planning and housing support as needed and provide community-based resources that assist with recovery. Under close supervision, may provide crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress, handling emergencies within the scope of practice. Performs administrative duties including but not limited to ensuring sessions are scheduled, creating referrals (e.g., detoxification, higher levels of care, care-in-the community) returning phone calls and secure messages, Chart Audits, and attending organizational meetings. Occasionally will provide clinical coverage for an absent or alternatively assigned staff member, as deemed necessary by supervisor. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Complies with all EHRM documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Attends and participates in staff meetings. Collaborates with performance improvement process and complies with performance improvement measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. Other collateral duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 am-4:30 pm Telework: Not Authorized. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

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: 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: Licensed Masters Addiction Therapist 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: 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision: Applicants may qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).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. GS-09 Grade Determinations: Education, License and Experience. 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 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. AND, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.(a) Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders and the interrelationship of SUDs.(b) Knowledge of basic recovery programs and resources.(c) Skill in providing individual and group therapy, including using certain SUD Evidenced-Based Therapy (EBTs).(d) Skill in developing and maintaining effective working or therapeutic relationships with multidisciplinary staff, Veterans and their families, and community resources to ensure appropriate referrals.(e) Ability to complete the assessment of substance use disorders, treatment/recovery planning and continuing care planning.(f) 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 Grade Determinations: Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade. AND, Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current and unrestricted license in a State for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. AND, 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/155 VA Handbook 5005/155 PART II APPENDIX G76 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-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute. 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.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center 77 Wainwright Drive Walla Walla, WA 99362 US
• Name: Maria Dela Cruz
• Phone: 253-582-8440 X75434
• Email: [email protected]