Job Description
Summary
The Cheyenne VA Healthcare System - Mental Health - is currently recruiting for one (1) Addiction Therapist (Licensed Masters) in Cheyenne - WY. This is a multi-disciplinary position and selections can be made from the following - Addiction Therapist (Licensed Masters) - Staff Psychologist - Social Worker - or Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
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:
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
- English Language Proficiency
- AT/LMAT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) a
- Education
- (1) Hold a master's degree or higher in drug and alcohol studies or related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university
- Licensure
- Individuals appointed or reassigned to an LMAT position must possess a full - current - and unrestricted license in a jurisdiction for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- (1) 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
- May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
- Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 1 of this sub-appendice and paragraph 3 of 11 this standard - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of the candidates: Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-09
- (1) Education - License and Experience
- The GS-09 grade level is the entry grade level for LMATs who have: (a) Less than one year of experience post licensure
- OR - (b) 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
- 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 Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-11
- (1) Experience
- One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade
- (2) Licensure
- Candidates must possess a full - current and unrestricted license in a State for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- (3) 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
- 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 (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 Preferred Experience: None Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
- The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
- The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11
- Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
Duties
- The Licensed Master's Addiction Therapist (LMAT) practices in the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program (SUD) and the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP) within the Mental Health (MH) Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) under the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System (CVAHCS)
- The incumbent provides direct services to Veterans with substance use and psychiatric disorders in the residential - intensive outpatient - and outpatient settings
- The services provided are performed individually and in groups
- In this role - the incumbent performs a variety of therapeutic - supportive - and consultative duties working towards the goal of rehabilitating Veterans with substance use and psychiatric disorders
- Major Duties and Responsibilities: Employees at this grade level serve in an entry-level developmental LMAT position
- At the entry-level - close clinical supervision is provided by higher-level LMATs
- As the MH RRTP/Outpatient SUD LMAT - the incumbent provides clinical and professional services to Veterans and families - consults with professional staff - carries out interdisciplinary team functions - and collaborates with community agencies
- The incumbent's clinical functions include: The incumbent will provide a full range of services within commonly accepted standards of practice and prioritizes care coordination activities as the primary job function [e.g. - needs assessment - chart reviews - care - or case management (as needed) - discharge planning - outreach - etc.] and other services as appropriate
- Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual therapy - group therapy - and psycho education classes in MHRRTP and the outpatient SUD clinic - to include IOP
- Best practices - practice guidelines - and evidence-based treatment protocols are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions
- May provide clinical services through the use of Tele-Mental Health/Tele-Home technology
- Provides addiction screening/assessments - orientation/education - treatment planning - and counseling in person or via telehealth
- The incumbent will conduct biopsychosocial assessments and in coordination with other disciplines - develop person-centered - culturally sensitive treatment plans to address mental health needs of patients
- The incumbent will participate in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate to promote care continuity
- Complies with national and local performance measures - including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients
- Consults with providers on behavioral or treatment concerns related to Veteran treatment while on the MH RRTP or engaged in outpatient SUD Clinic programming Acts as subject matter expert - consulting with providers of high-risk complex patients
- Administers crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress handling emergencies within the scope of practice
- The incumbent will provide consultation/education to Veterans and families on VA resources (including self-management tools) - community resources - Advance Directives - and VA benefits
- The incumbent will act as a clinical resource/point-of-contact to Veterans and other team/staff members
- The incumbent will document interventions and activities in patient's electronic health record and ensure appropriate hand-off communication and documentation when transferring patient care
- The incumbent will participate in committee assignments - as deemed necessary by the service manager
- Serves on Interdisciplinary Treatment Team(s)
- Other Duties as Assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m
- - 4:30 p.m
- Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: Situational Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Functional Statement #: -58757-A - -58758-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
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