- Position Title
- Addiction Therapist (Masters)
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBTF-12698411-25-JH Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to Tuesday, April 1, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Are you currently employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
Preferences
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
1.
Are you willing to accept the conditions of employment as indicated in the announcement?
2.
In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Are you proficient in basic written and spoken English?
Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Addiction Therapist (Masters) position with VA Capitol Health Care Network. Please select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and/or education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for Eligibility):
You must attach your most recent, non-award SF-50. This SF-50 should not be more than a year old and must show your current position, grade, and step to verify eligibility
You must attach your most recent, non-award SF-50. This SF-50 should not be more than a year old and must show your current position, grade, and step to verify eligibility
Addiction Therapist (Masters). The LMAT level is designated for AT's who possess a master's degree and hold a state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia's highest-level recognition for independent practice (i.e., license or certification) in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. An individual in an AT or LMAT position must hold a state's highest level of recognition for the specified level/position being filled in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. The required license and certification must be full, current and unrestricted.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
English Language Proficiency: LMAT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Are you proficient in spoken and written English?
Are you proficient in spoken and written English?
2.
Hold a master's degree or higher in drug and alcohol studies or related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university. If you are using education or training to qualify for this position, you MUST upload/submit supporting documentation (i.e., transcripts, certificate of completion of training). Failure to do so will make you ineligible for consideration.
Do you meet the above requirement?
Do you meet the above requirement?
3.
An individual in an AT or LMAT position must hold a state's highest level of recognition for the specified level/position being filled in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. The required license and certification must be full, current, and unrestricted.
- 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.
GS-9 Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve in an entry-level developmental LMAT positions. At the entry-level, close clinical supervision is provided by higher-level LMATs. Duties may include but are not limited to counseling and providing psychoeducation, including EBT for individuals, groups, families and couples. Services are offered by LMATs either individually or as co-leader. LMATs assist in the caseload management of all patients in the program. LMATs assist in developing treatment plans (reviews and updates) and contribute to team decisions, 12 including the necessary determination of readiness for discharge. LMATs, at this level, assist in monitoring medication compliance as appropriate to assigned programs. They help maintain compliance with VA standards of care, accreditation bodies such as the Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and other compliance agencies as appropriate to assigned programs and best practices of care (i.e., Opioid Treatment Program, Drug Enforcement Agency, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration. They conduct intake and needs assessments of Veterans with their significant others, extended family and others in the psychosocial network and support systems under supervision. LMATs ascertain the employment history and difficulties encountered in employment through assessment for vocational services planning to assist Veterans in meeting their vocational goals. LMATs use their knowledge of community-based resources to assist with recovery, including housing support. They review outside records as they become available and prepare correspondence related to the patient's rehabilitation, such as letters for courts, letters for an employer and other agencies upon the request of the patient. Under close supervision, LMATs may provide crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress. LMATs develop and maintain appropriate communication, rapport and positive working relationship with various institutions, organizations and service providers.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
4.
GS-9 Education, License and Experience. The GS-09 grade level is the entry level for LMATs who have
NOTE: Applicants must demonstrate above requirements in their application and supporting documents.
- 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.
NOTE: Applicants must demonstrate above requirements in their application and supporting documents.
5.
GS- 9 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.
Do you meet the above requirements and the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the GS-9 grade level?
(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.
Do you meet the above requirements and the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the GS-9 grade level?
Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-11 Qualification Requirements
Assignment. This assignment is the full performance level, for LMATs. At the full performance level LMATs independently provide addiction screening/assessments, orientation/education, treatment planning and counseling in person or via telehealth. They analyze problems and interpret and adapt guidelines such as policies, regulations, precedents, etc. for application to specific problems and recommend changes. LMATs provide evidenced-based practices in programming and recovery plan development. 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. They handle the coordination of treatment, and management of acute and chronic substance use and mental health issues. LMATs manage a caseload of patients with complex addictions, and mental and related physical problems. LMATs involve participants and their identified support systems in the treatment via education, treatment and planning. They develop a diagnostic evaluation/summary of the client's substance abuse and coexisting conditions. LMATs utilize assessment and diagnostic evaluations to develop an individualized treatment plan; and incorporate assessments and psychological testing results from physical exams and urine toxicology data for use by a multidisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan. They make recommendations to the treatment team regarding readiness for discharge. LMATs are part of the team that formulates discharge plans and arranges referrals to community agencies and organizations. They ascertain the employment history to include employment difficulties; and conduct an assessment for vocational services planning and housing support and provide community-based resources that assist with recovery. 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
Assignment. This assignment is the full performance level, for LMATs. At the full performance level LMATs independently provide addiction screening/assessments, orientation/education, treatment planning and counseling in person or via telehealth. They analyze problems and interpret and adapt guidelines such as policies, regulations, precedents, etc. for application to specific problems and recommend changes. LMATs provide evidenced-based practices in programming and recovery plan development. 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. They handle the coordination of treatment, and management of acute and chronic substance use and mental health issues. LMATs manage a caseload of patients with complex addictions, and mental and related physical problems. LMATs involve participants and their identified support systems in the treatment via education, treatment and planning. They develop a diagnostic evaluation/summary of the client's substance abuse and coexisting conditions. LMATs utilize assessment and diagnostic evaluations to develop an individualized treatment plan; and incorporate assessments and psychological testing results from physical exams and urine toxicology data for use by a multidisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan. They make recommendations to the treatment team regarding readiness for discharge. LMATs are part of the team that formulates discharge plans and arranges referrals to community agencies and organizations. They ascertain the employment history to include employment difficulties; and conduct an assessment for vocational services planning and housing support and provide community-based resources that assist with recovery. 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
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
6.
GS-11 Education, License and Experience: In order to qualify for the GS-11 Addiction Therapist; you must meet the following:
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.
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.
Do you meet this required experience and licensure to qualify for the Addiction Therapist (Master's)?
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.
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.
Do you meet this required experience and licensure to qualify for the Addiction Therapist (Master's)?
7.
GS-11 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Note: Applicants must demonstrate above requirements in their application and supporting documentation.
- 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.
Note: Applicants must demonstrate above requirements in their application and supporting documentation.