Addiction Therapist

About the role

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. The position is part of the VA's HUD-VASH program, providing psychosocial services to Veterans while they reside in stable housing through HUD's Section 8 voucher system.

Responsibilities

• Evidence-Based Psychotherapy - Seeking VA approved training and certification to provide competent evidence-based interventions for a variety of mental health and addictive disorder diagnoses. Psychotherapy may be needed in individual, group, couple, or family formats, as needed by the patient population.
• Pyschosocial Assessment - Developing an evaluation/assessment of the Veteran's substance use, family, economic, community, and psychosocial support systems. Assessments reflect a skillful and comprehensive view of the Veteran's current state of functioning and support. Clinical interview skills are used to gather and document data that analyzes and interprets relevant strengths and needs directly related to patient health, care planning, treatment, education, internal/external supports, and case management needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status and ensure safe living in the least restrictive environment possible. The Veteran, family members, and significant others are involved in this process, whenever possible. 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.

Requirements

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Licensure/Certification: Individuals appointed or reassigned to an AT position in the GS-0101 series must: (a) 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; AND (b) Complete one of the following: i International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Certification; or ii National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1.