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:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a)
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• English Language Proficiency
• AT/LMAT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Education
• AT and LMAT candidates must meet the education requirements defined in the specific sub-appendice for the position being filled
• Foreign Education
• There is no substitution for foreign education for this occupation
• therefore, foreign education evaluation is not applicable
• Grade Determinations: Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-11: 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
• Licensure
• Candidates must possess a full, current and unrestricted license in a State for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment
• 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
• 13 (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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Perform clinical supervision and oversight of patient care
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005 APPENDIX G76
• For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 11
• Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary
• It typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration
• There will be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of relatively light objects
• The position may also require stooping, reaching, lifting, pulling, and other moderate exertion or strain
• Incumbent may occasionally have to walk some distance to a meeting.