Summary

The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for 1 full-time Mental Health Counselor for the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program. This vacancy will be filled by a Social Worker - Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) - or Staff Psychologist.

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)
• 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
• 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: GS-9 Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) (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
• (2) 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
• GS-11 Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's) (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
• (4) 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• The LMAT provides evidence-based psychotherapy to clients diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders as well as co-occurring disorders including PTSD - anxiety and mood disorders and maintains a consistent clinical caseload within the outpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program
• This includes services such as individual evidence-based treatment for substance abuse - data-gathering - assessment - treatment planning - treatment delivery - consultation - patient-family education - professional education - referral - and documentation in the medical record
• Fargo VA has an intensive outpatient program for SUD - Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) - and Contingency Management (CM)
• The LMAT performs duties primarily at the Fargo VA Healthcare System and associated Community Based Outreach Centers (CBOCs)
• The primary duty station for this position is at the Fargo VA
• The LMAT works with an interdisciplinary team to provide guidance and support to Veterans in recovery
• In collaboration with other disciplines - the LMAT works with to ensure that the Veterans' recovery plan is self-directed - and patient centered
• The LMAT should demonstrate knowledge of community-based resources that will assist the Veteran in continuing an individual program of recovery
• The incumbent is responsible for providing case management and evidence-based psychotherapy
• The LMAT works with individuals - couples - families - and groups providing psychosocial treatment for SUD and addressing the effects of SUD on interpersonal relationships using individual - couples - families - and group-oriented therapies
• The incumbent's functions include psychosocial assessment - sharing in mental health treatment planning responsibilities - and discharge planning coordination as needed
• The incumbent functions in a clinical manner that reflects knowledge - skills - and understanding of the impact of addiction on life changes of adults and corresponding bio-psychosocial needs to include interpersonal relationships - group membership - cultural considerations - employment - social skills - and crisis passage
• In addition - the incumbent will participate in tracking and maintenance of follow-up measures - quality control - and process improvement
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Psychosocial Assessment Treatment Planning/Goal Setting Coordination of Treatment Crisis Intervention Education/Health promotion and prevention Coordination of Discharge Planning Services Supportive Counseling Documentation & Administrative Requirements Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized