Summary

PLEASE NOTE: Due to system updates - this job opportunity announcement will close early on 9/26/25. Applications received by 11:59 pm ET on 9/26/2025 will be reviewed and referred to Hiring Managers - if found eligible and qualified. Addiction Therapist work with individuals - couples - and families providing psychosocial treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and addressing the effects of SUD on interpersonal relationships using individual - couples and families - an group-oriented therapies.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States 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)
• English Language Proficiency
• LMATs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S. § 7403(f)
• Education
• Hold a Master's degree in drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university
• Licensure: An individual in an AT or LMAT position must hold a state's highest level of recognition for the specified level/position being filled in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment
• The required license and certification must be full - current - and unrestricted
• 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
• Failure to Obtain Licensure
• Prior to the time of appointment - HR Office staff will provide uncertified or unlicensed LMATs - the written requirement to obtain licensure - the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline
• In all cases - LMATs must actively pursue meeting requirements for licensure starting from the date of their appointment
• If LMATs fail to obtain licensure during this time period - their employment may be terminated
• Loss of License
• 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
• Grade Determination: Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-09
• Education - License and Experience
• The GS-09 grade level is the entry grade level for LMATs who have: Less than one year of experience post licensure
• OR LMATS at the masters 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 tot he basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
• Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders and the interrelationship of SUDs
• Knowledge of basic recovery programs and resources
• Skill in providing individual and group therapy - including using certain SUD Evidenced-Based Therapy (EBTs)
• Skill in developing and maintaining effective working or therapeutic relationships with multidisciplinary staff - Veterans and their families - and community resources to ensure appropriate referrals
• Ability to complete the assessment of substance use disorders - treatment/recovery planning and continuing care planning
• Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress consistent with VA national policy and within scope of certification and secure appropriate interventions
• Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve in an entry-level developmental LMAT positions
• Duties may include but are not limited to counseling and providing psychoeducation - including EBT for individuals - groups - families and couples
• LMATs assist in the caseload management of all patients in the program
• LMATs assist in developing treatment plans (reviews and updates) and contribute to team decisions - 12 including the necessary determination of readiness for discharge
• LMATs - at this level - assist in monitoring medication compliance as appropriate to assigned programs
• They help maintain compliance with VA standards of care - accreditation bodies such as the Joint Commission - Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities - and other compliance agencies as appropriate to assigned programs and best practices of care
• LMATs develop and maintain appropriate communication - rapport and positive working relationship with various institutions - organizations and service providers
• Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) GS-11 Education
• 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 Treat Revised 2/14/23-FB 4 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) Skill to independently complete assessments of substance use disorders - treatment planning and continued care planning
• Skill to apply the principles - concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in the treatment of individuals with SUDs
• Skill to collaborate and consult on medical or other psychiatric disorders as interrelated to SUDs
• Ability to apply various community-based recovery programs and resources in a treatment plan
• 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
• 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
• They 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
• They 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
• They perform clinical supervision and oversight of patient care
• 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
• Preferred Experience: One year experience with Outpatient Intensive Substance Use Disorder (OISUDS) Reference: VA Handbook 5005/155 November 30 - 2022 - PART II - APPENDIX G76-A Physical Requirements: This position is in a normal setting within medical center with bending - walking - stretching - light lifting - etc
• Patient care involves infection control and standard precautions
• 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-9 or GS-11.

Duties

• Functions/Duties: The incumbent receives patients and provides psychological and social assessments as part of the intake of individuals into the substance abuse program
• The incumbent interviews - uses questionnaires or other measurement devices - or observes the patient to assess emotional - functional - or psychological condition
• Independently conduct initial screening of patients
• Gathers social - drug - family and military history and reasons for referral
• Prepares written assessments based on knowledge of patient's background and medical history for use by members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team or for own use to develop treatment
• Determines patient's eligibility for treatment
• Independently determines patient's eligibility for treatment
• In instances when guidance doesn't clearly cover and individual circumstance documents decision to admit or refuse treatment
• As an advocate for the patient - prepares exceptions or solicits additional information when eligibility is in question
• The incumbent determines appropriate treatment or rehabilitation for individual patients
• Recommends and assist the patient in setting standards of behavior and goals for evaluation of progress
• Serves as a member of the Multi-disciplinary treatment team and works with other professionals to formulate treatment and follow-up plans for each patient
• Provides individual and group counseling - makes appropriate referral to community or other professional resources as necessary for effective rehabilitation
• Conduct therapeutic short-term - in-depth counseling in accordance with specific guidelines and may occasionally handle crisis intervention or other emergency situations
• Conducts group - family - and individual therapeutic counseling sessions
• Observes patient behaviors and reaction patterns for use by higher level professionals or the treatment team in reviewing and modifying treatment and/or follow-up plans
• Contributes to team decisions concerning necessary controls and restrictions required to the therapeutic progress of both individual patients and the community in general and recommends degrees of supervision required
• Maintains appropriate records - charting information necessary to ensure an accurate portrayal of the patient's activities - condition - and progress
• Evaluates patient's records on a recurring basis to assess the current condition and progress
• Contributes to team decisions concerning adjustment to treatment - including privileges - therapeutic - leaves of absence - readiness for job placement readiness for special education programs - and readiness for discharge
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 613-24144-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized