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Position Title
Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level)
Agency
Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CBTF-12751007-25-PGM Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, June 16, 2025 to Tuesday, July 15, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current permanent Federal employee from an agency other than Department of Veterans Affairs?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
(limit characters)
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.
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages or encrypted, and digitally signed documents linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.
(limit characters)
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). (limit characters)
2. Applicants are required to undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test and must submit to random drug testing after employment. Will you comply with this requirement? (limit characters)
3. 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? (limit characters)
In order to receive appropriate consideration, you should submit proper documentation if you are claiming eligibility for Veterans' Preference, which includes a copy of your DD-214 (member copy 4 or earlier version that shows character of service). Applicant's claiming 10-Point preference should also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference along with the required documentation listed on the form (such as verification of service-connected disability percentage). (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) with the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. 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. (limit characters)
Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Prepared) (AT). The AT level is designated for those who are bachelor's prepared ATs and hold the state's highest-level recognition for practice as bachelor's prepared (i.e., license or certification) in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. Although some states may recognize bachelor's prepared as an independent provider VHA only recognizes bachelor's prepared ATs as a dependent provider. ATs in this level assignment are dependent providers and perform work under guidance of Addiction Therapists (Licensed Master's) in designated assignments. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. English Language Proficiency: AT/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?
(limit characters)
EDUCATION REMINDER: 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. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
2. 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.

Do you have a bachelor's degree in drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field from an accredited college?
(limit characters)
Licensure and Certification. The state may title the highest-level of recognition as either "Licensed" or "certification"; however, when "license, licensure or non-licensed" reference is made throughout the appendix it is implied and intended for both certification and license granted by a state. An individual in an AT or LMAT position must hold the state's highest-level of recognition for the specified level/position being filled in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. It must be full, current and unrestricted. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
3. Licensure Requirements: 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.
NOTE: Loss of License or certification. 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.

Do you have a full, current and unrestricted state license in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment and one of the certifications stated above?
(limit characters)
Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-09 Qualification Requirements and Determinations. (limit characters)
Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current professional alcohol and drug counseling treatment practices. The experience also includes the ability to treat substance use disorders, including working with individuals, couples, families and/or groups. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice (post-degree), which is paid/non-paid employment as an alcohol and drug counselor, as defined by the appropriate state licensing or certifying boards. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation for the specific level (bachelor's degree or master's degree) in alcohol and drug studies or comparable degree in a behavioral health field (i.e., social work, psychology, counseling) and includes work as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor directly related to the position to be filled. The experience must be comparable to AT/LMAT experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation for the specific level (bachelor's degree or master's degree) in alcohol and drug studies or comparable degree in a behavioral health field (i.e., social work, psychology, counseling) and includes work as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor directly related to the position to be filled. The experience must be comparable to AT/LMAT experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative 4 independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
(limit characters)
GS-9 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. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
4. Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-09.

Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS-07. Specialized experience at the GS-7 level includes:
  • Assists with addiction screening, assessments, orientation, education, treatment planning and counseling used in treatment of individuals with SUDS..
  • Identify patients experiencing psychological distress and engage licensed clinicians as necessary to provide crisis intervention.
  • Assists 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.
  • Knowledge of appropriate documentation of substance use history and treatment. Participate with a multidisciplinary team regarding treatment planning.
  • Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress. Communicate with a variety of institutions, organizations and service providers.

Do you meet the requirements above for the GS-9 grade level?
(limit characters)
5. Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-09.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, 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.

Do you meet the requirements above and the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the GS-9 grade level?
(limit characters)