Addiction Therapist

HUD-VASH is an intensive case management program for chronically homeless Veterans aimed at providing psychosocial services to Veterans while residing in stable housing through HUD's Section 8 voucher system. The incumbent in this position functions as the Medical Center's Liaison/Case Manager for Central California's VAMC's Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program Department of Housing and Urban Development / VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH).

Responsibilities

• Assist with intake, assessments, program orientation, educational sessions, and treatment planning.
• Identify patients experiencing psychological distress and engage licensed clinicians for crisis intervention as necessary.
• Maintain appropriate records and chart accurate information.
• Develop and maintain communication, rapport, and positive working relationships with institutions, organizations, and service providers.
• Provide evidence-based psychotherapy interventions in individual, group, couple, or family formats as needed.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments of Veterans' substance use, family, economic, community, and support systems.
• Develop individualized treatment plans incorporating assessments, psychological testing, physical exams, and urine toxicology data.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment teams to develop integrated treatment plans based on client strengths, preferences, and needs.
• Communicate with various institutions, organizations, and service providers to coordinate care.

Requirements

• United States Citizenship (Non-citizens may be appointed only when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens).
• English Language Proficiency (proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)).
• Education: Hold a bachelor's degree in drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university.
• Licensure/Certification:
  • Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia to practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment.
  • Complete one of the following certifications:
    • 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.

Qualifications

Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-05

• Experience: Entry-level assignment for ATs licensed with less than one year of experience. No additional experience beyond basic requirements.
• Assignment:
  • Serve in an entry-level developmental position with close clinical supervision.
  • Assist with intake/assessments, facilitating program orientation or educational sessions, and treatment planning.

Addiction Therapist (Bachelor's Level) GS-07

• Experience: At least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05).
• Education (Advanced Entry Level Placement):
  • Bachelor's degree in drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field with an exemplary academic record demonstrated by:
    • 3.0 or higher GPA ("B" or better) overall or in the final two years, or
    • 3.5 or higher GPA ("B+" or better) in the major field or in the final two years of the major, or
    • Upper third of the graduating class.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Knowledge of principles, concepts, and methods of counseling and therapies for substance use disorders (SUDs).
  • Knowledge of appropriate documentation of substance use history and treatment.
  • Ability to identify patients in psychological distress.
• Assignment:
  • Receive clinical supervision from designated LMAT.
  • Assist with addiction screening, assessments, orientation, education, treatment planning, and counseling.
  • Develop integrated treatment plans based on client strengths, preferences, and needs.

Schedule

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM