Lead Addiction Therapist
What you'd do
Serves as the Lead Licensed Master Addiction Therapist (LMAT) for the Substance Abuse Recovery Program (SARP), supporting the delivery of effective, consistent, and clinically sound substance use disorder (SUD) treatment within all SARP programs.
Major duties
This role provides advanced clinical expertise in assessment, evidence-based counseling, and harm-reduction approaches, while assisting SUD leadership in coordinating daily clinical activities among Addiction Therapists and LMATs to ensure alignment with established standards of practice and program priorities. As a key member of the interdisciplinary care team, the Lead LMAT maintains effective working relationships with Psychology, Psychiatry, Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, Chaplain Services, Rehabilitation Services, Dietetics, Recreation Therapy, and community partners to ensure coordinated, integrated care for Veterans with SUDs, including those with co-occurring psychiatric or medical conditions. Major duties to include, but not limited to: Provides expert consultation to SUD leadership regarding clinical policies, procedures, and program improvements. Assigns, balances, and monitors workload for AT and LMAT staff, communicating priorities, timelines, and performance expectations. Reviews staff documentation and clinical work for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with VA, Joint Commission, and program standards. Ensures adherence to treatment guidelines, documentation protocols, evidence-based practices, and quality-of-care requirements. Establishes, maintains, and updates computerized patient records; documents clinical observations clearly and promptly. Reviews patient records regularly to assess clinical progress and participates in peer review to support documentation quality. Completes accurate, timely treatment plans and participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings. Provides direct clinical services, including psychosocial assessments, individual and group counseling, family interventions, and aftercare services. Delivers and oversees Opiate Agonist Therapy (OAT) services, including methadone monitoring, dosage-change consultations, and urinalysis/BAC screening. Assists with screening OAT applicants and serves as backup contact for transfer or guest-dosing requests. Supervises addiction therapists, rehabilitation technicians, and peer support specialists to ensure high-quality case management and care delivery. Serves as liaison with Federal, State, and community agencies regarding outpatient SUD treatment, aftercare, rehabilitation, and Veteran placement. Provides leadership through coaching, training, orientation, and professional development activities for AT and LMAT staff. Leads or supports quality-improvement and performance-measurement initiatives; reports program outcomes and resource needs to leadership. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with accreditation standards, VA policies, and performance measures. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm EST Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Authorized, AD-HOC as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 688-260295-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. Must hold a master's degree or higher in drug and alcohol studies or related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university. Licensure. Must possess a full, current and unrestricted license in a jurisdiction for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment. 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-12 - Lead Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's): Experience and Licensure. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11*). HR Staff will refer to specific jurisdictions' licensing laws regarding the requirements for providing clinical supervision. Some jurisdictions' licenses require an additional credential (for example, State Approved Supervisor) to provide clinical supervision to trainees or unlicensed ATs. *Examples at the GS-11 include, but are not limited to: 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 substance use disorders (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. And Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders and managers. Ability to provide staff training and development. Ability to independently set priorities in order to meet multiple deadlines. Preferred Experience: Demonstrated ability in evidence-based SUD therapies, leadership in clinical program improvement, and administrative/ referral decision-making independence.. 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-12. Physical Requirements: Must meet pre-employment requirements as described by VA Handbook 5019. Additionally, This position requires light to moderate lifting (15 - 44 lbs.); light carrying (15 lbs. and under); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to two hours); standing (up to two hours); kneeling (up to one hour); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correction at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception' ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; mental stability; working closely with others and working alone.
Before you apply
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