Job Listing: Addiction Therapist

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - Lihue, HI

 

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN):  LP195877 (Include on all documents)

 

Be a member of a team providing compassionate healthcare to veterans.   

The Department of Veterans Affairs is an employer of choice as a center of excellence in patient care, education and research.  We value trust, respect, commitment, compassion, and excellence; we value you.  For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.va.gov . 

NOTE:  In order to view and/or print the entire announcement, please scroll to the bottom of this page and click on "Print Preview"; then "Print".  Otherwise, you may miss important instructions on how to apply for this position.

APPLICANT CHECKLIST:  Please use this checklist to ensure compliance with all application requirements.  We recommend that you print a copy of this checklist for reference while completing your application package.  Detailed instructions of the application process are included after the checklist.  Be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully.

_____ Responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. (see Step 1)

_____ Resume (see Step 2 for the information you should include on your resume) or Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612).

_____ If you are faxing your documentation, the United States Application Cover Page must be used in order to link your documents with your on-line questionnaire.  Failure to provide this cover page - or the use of a different cover page - will prohibit your documentation from being processed.  (see Step 3 for url)

_____ If a particular level of education/certification is required OR if you are asking us to qualify you based upon your education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript or an appropriate course listing. (see Step 3)

_____ Veterans must provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.).  Note:  More than one DD-214 may be needed to show all dates of service. (see Step 3)

_____  Disabled veterans and other veterans eligible for 10-point preference must also submit an SF-15 (version December 2004) with required proof as stated on the form. (see Step 3)

Major Duties

This position is located at the Kauai Community Based Outpatient Clinic, Lihue, HI. The purpose of this position is to be responsible for independently planning, implementing, and case managing the treatment of veterans with substance abuse disorders. Duties of this position include but are not limited to: conducts intake and needs assessment and develops treatment goals of substance abuse veterans who are diagnosed with both medical and psychiatric problems; reviews progress and treatment plans and goals; performs case management by providing follow-up evaluations to determine if all appropriate services were provided; provides services and referrals for services; provides counseling regarding benefits and referrals to appropriate federal, state and local agencies; provides consultation and training to community service agencies on substance abuse problems; develops working relationships and cross referrals with community agencies; conducts individual and group therapy and counseling for veterans presenting psychological and social problems as well as substance abuse; and provides instructions in the assessment and counseling of veterans.
***RELOCATION EXPENSES AND/OR INCENTIVES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED*** 

How to Apply

PLEASE NOTE: 

It is your responsibility to insure that all application materials are RECEIVED by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the announcement (Monday, June 23, 2008) in order to be considered.  We cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, interruptions in internet service, etc. 
You must submit a complete application package.  Failure to provide complete information may result in your not receiving consideration for this position.
You must submit your assessment questionnaire online (through Application Manager) or  on OPM Form 1203-FX (and faxed).  Do not send printouts of your Application Manager Questionnaire Answers.  If you fax your application and/or documentation, please keep a copy of your fax transmittal receipt for future verification, if necessary.
If you upload your documents using Application Manager, DO NOT FAX the same documents.  To verify that your uploaded documents have been processed, please wait one hour to ensure they have cleared the virus scann.  You can then verify that your uploaded documents are attached to your application by checking the "Details" tab of your Application Manager account (https://applicationmanager.org ) for this vacancy announcement.  Your documents will display under the "Details" tab in the Document area. 
You will not be contacted for additional information.  DO NOT contact our offices for verification of receipt or status reports - we do not provide this information.
Your application materials will not be returned.  Do not submit original documents that you may need in the future.
Your application must be completed on-line or faxed. This office does not accept applications by electronic mail (e-mail), regular mail, or in person. 

Applying for this position is as easy as 1, 2, 3...

Just by following three steps, you will submit a complete application package and receive consideration for this position.  Be sure to follow the steps carefully and complete all three.  Each step is described in detail below.

Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire, (which may be completed electronically or on the OPM Form 1203FX and faxed), 
Your resume or OF-612  (which may be completed electronically, uploaded, or faxed), and
Other documents specified in this job announcement (which may be uploaded or faxed).

Use Application Manager for convenience and quickest processing.  Track your progress to a Complete Application Package using My Application Packages checklist and status displays in Application Manager.  Your Application Package status must be Complete by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, June 23, 2008.

STEP 1: 

Complete and submit the Assessment Questionnaire. The questionnaire must be completed and submitted in order to receive consideration for this position.

PLEASE NOTE:  We highly encourage you to complete the Assessment Questionnaire online as it is the most efficient way to process your responses.  Using paper application forms may delay the processing of your application.  If you are unable to complete the Assessment Questionnaire online, go to STEP 3 of this announcement and refer to the alternatives described under "Alternative Methods for Completing the Application Package" 

You must provide responses to all required questions. Be sure to double check your application before submission and click on "SUBMIT" when it is complete.  Your application is not transmitted to us until you submit it.

To complete your Assessment Questionnaire online, click the following link:

Online Questionnaire

or enter https://ApplicationManager.org  You can save your work and come back later.  To return to Application Manager at any time by simply going back to this web address. 

The Assessment Questionnaire must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, June 23, 2008.

ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

Social Security Number

Enter your Social Security Number in the space indicated.  Providing your Social Security Number is voluntary, however we cannot process your application without it.

Vacancy Identification Number

LP195877

 

1. Title of Job

Addiction Therapist 

 

2. Biographic Data

3. E-Mail Address

Please enter your e-mail address in the space provided.  If you do not provide an e-mail address you may not receive a notice of your results. 

4. Work Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

5. Employment Availability

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

6. Citizenship

Are you a citizen of the United States?

7. Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

8. Other Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

9. Languages

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

10. Lowest Grade

Enter the lowest grade (09) you will accept for this position.

09
11. Miscellaneous Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

12. Special Knowledge

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

13. Test Location

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

14. Veteran Preference Claim

15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service

16. Availability Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

17. Service Computation Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

18. Other Date Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

19. Job Preference

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

20. Occupational Specialties

The specialty code(s) for this position is (are):
001 Addiction Therapist
21. Geographic Availability

The location code(s) for this position is (are):

 

018 Lihue, HI
22. Transition Assistance Plan

23. Job Related Experience

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

24. Personal Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

25. Occupational/Assessment Questions:

Applicants must meet one of the basic education/experience requirements to qualify for this position. (Must also meet specialized experience or education as described below).

1. Do you possess successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors degree or higher in a behavioral or social science, or a major field of study directly related to the work of this position? (The number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the amount specified by the college or university attended. If this number cannot be obtained, 24 semester hours will be considered as equivalent to a major field of study. The nature and quality of this required course work must have been such that it would serve as a prerequisite for more advanced study in the field of behavioral or social science or subject matter area). (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

A. Yes
B. No

2. Do you possess four years of appropriate experience that demonstrates you possess the acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field? (DETAILED DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED)

A. Yes
B. No

3. Do you possess a combination of education and experience as outlined above, that provided you with the knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field? (TRANSCRIPTS AND DETAILED DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED)

A. Yes
B. No

In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must meet one of the following:

4. Do you possess at least one year of specialized experience related to the duties of this position that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this Addiction Therapist, GS-9 position? This one-year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade in Federal service. Specialized experience includes: conducting individual and group therapy; assessing patients for the presence of substance abuse problems; developing and implementing treatment plans; working with multidisciplinary teams; and maintaining and evaluating patients' records.(Evidence of this specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of like duties performed in positions held on your resume or OF-612. You will also need to provide work experience information such as hours per week, salary, and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish you have one (1) full year of Specialized Experience at the required grade level).

A. Yes
B. No

5. Do you possess at least two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or a masters degree with a major field of study directly related to this position? (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

A. Yes
B. No

6. Do you possess a combination of successfully completed education and experience as described above for minimum qualifications which may be used to meet total qualification requirements? (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

A. Yes
B. No

KSA #1- KNOWLEDGE OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TECHNIQUES, PRACTICES AND INTITATES COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES FOR TREATMENT
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Darken the oval corresponding to that statement in Section 25 of the Qualifications and Availability Form C. Please select only one letter for each item.

A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or I am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.

7. Conducts intake and needs assessment and develops treatment goals of substance abuse clients who are diagnosed with both medical and psychiatric problems.

8. Reviews progress and treatment plans and goals in a medical center environment as an addiction therapist, social work associate, etc.

9. Determines appropriate treatment or rehabilitation for individual patients.

10. Plans, develops and implements comprehensive substance abuse treatment programs.

11. Performs careful and comprehensive assessment of patients/clients for the presence of substance abuse problems.

12. Utilizes knowledge of theories and concepts regarding human addictions, relapse and addictive behavior.

KSA #2- ABILITY TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT

13. Performs case management by providing follow-up evaluations to determine if all appropriate services were provided.

14. Provides services and referrals for services in a medical center environment.

15. Works as a case-manager, educator, and group facilitator for a population of chemically dependents individuals.

16. Treats patients suffering from substance abuse.

17. Provides services to patients with serious, complex, and pervasive physical, emotional, and social problems requiring extensive diagnostic assessment, as well as, intensive social work intervention and treatment.

18. Screens prospective admissions for chemical dependency treatment.

19. Makes referrals to outside agencies for additional treatment when necessary.

KSA # 3- ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE VERBALLY AND IN WRITING

20. Provides counseling regarding benefits and referrals to appropriate federal, state and local agencies.

21. Provides consultation and training to community service agencies on substance abuse problems.

22. Develops working relationships and cross referrals with community agencies.

23. Serves as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and works with other professionals to formulate treatment and follow-up plans for each patient.

24. Contributes to team decisions concerning necessary controls and restrictions required for the therapeutic progress of both individual patients and the community in general and recommends degrees of supervision required

KSA #4- ABILITY TO CONDUCT THERAPY AND COUNSELING

25. Conducts individual and group therapy and counseling for clients presenting psychological and social problems as well as substance abuse.

26. Provides instructions in the assessment and counseling of clients.

27. Maintains appropriate records, charting information necessary to ensure an accurate portrayal of the patients activities, condition and progress.

28. Maintains medical records in accordance with all rules, regulations, guidelines and standards.

29. Provides individual and group counseling and makes appropriate referrals to community or other professional resources as necessary for effective rehabilitation.

You must now complete and submit additional application materials (by Monday, June 23, 2008) as required by this vacancy announcement via uploading or faxing this information.  To fax application materials, refer to the instructions in Alternative Methods for Completing the Application Package after Step 3 of this vacancy announcement. 

STEP 2: 

Submit your choice of a Resume or an OF-612 - Optional Application for Federal Employment available at www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of612.pdf .  We must receive a complete resume or OF 612 in order to determine your qualifications for this position.

Your RESUME must include the following information:

Vacancy Information: Announcement Number (LP195877), Position Title (Addiction Therapist), and grade (09/09);
Personal Information:
Your full legal name and mailing address
Day and Evening telephone numbers including area code
Country of citizenship
Social Security number
Work experience (NOTE:  You must include the following information in order to receive credit for your experience):
Name and address of employer
Your job title
The beginning and ending month and year of your employment
The average hours worked per week.  Full-time work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.  Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.  Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the number of hours a week spent in such employment
Your supervisor's name and phone number (indicate if we may call your supervisor);
A description of your duties that is sufficiently detailed to document the level of your experience.  If the position is (was) with the Federal government (military or civilian), state the series and grade or pay grade (rank) and the date of last promotion
Education:  Name, location, and dates of attendance for colleges attended (if required). Type and date of degree received (if any);
Other:  Training, license(s), or certification(s) relevant to the position

Do not submit letters of recommendation, performance appraisals, position descriptions, examples of your work, etc.  This additional information will not be forwarded to the hiring facility.

STEP 3: 

Submit other required application materials, as applicable.

- If you are using education to qualify, you must submit copies of college transcripts or a course listing that identifies for each course completed: the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade, and grade-point average received.

- If you are applying for Veterans’ Preference, you must submit evidence of eligibility, such as: DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), or Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference version dated December 2004), and the proof requested on the form.   For Access to DD214 and military records click on this link -  Military Information.  To print a copy of the SF15 go to www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf . 

Submitting Documents

If you upload your documents using Application Manager, DO NOT FAX the same documents. To verify uploaded documents have been processed, please wait one hour to ensure they have cleared the virus scan. You can verify that your uploaded documents are attached to your application by checking the "Details" tab of your Application Manager account https://applicationmanager.org for this vacancy announcement. Your documents will display under the "Details" tab in the Document area.

 

Faxed documents will take 2-3 business days to process. To fax documents, you MUST use the special cover page. Print the pre-populated cover page on the upload documents screen of Application Manager. Or, you may click this link http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf to print a blank copy of the cover page. When faxing documents, follow the procedures outlined below.  

 

Include the 8-character Vacancy Identification Number LP195877
Provide your Social Security Number and full name in the spaces provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application.
You may submit multiple documents for the same vacancy announcement using one cover page.
Fax your cover page and documents to 1-478-757-3144.

 

Faxed documents submitted with missing information will not be processed. The following will prevent your documents from being processed: 

 

Not using the special cover page mentioned above.
Missing, incomplete, or invalid Vacancy Identification Number
Missing or incomplete Social Security Number or name

 

Note: If you have documents in your Application Manager account from a previous vacancy announcement they can be opened, copied and saved then reused as an upload file for this vacancy. Uploading your documents will speed the processing of your application for this announcement.

  

Be sure to complete all THREE STEPS of the application process described above in order to submit a complete application package and receive consideration for this position. 

 

ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR COMPLETING THE APPLICATION PACKAGE

To Complete the Assessment Questionnaire manually, you will need a copy of the answer sheet, referred to as the Occupational Questionnaire - OPM Form 1203-FX which can be obtained electronically at

http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm1203fx.pdf ;

or by calling USAJOBS at 703-724-1850; follow the instructions given;

or by visiting the Human Resources Management Service of the VA Medical Center at the duty location. 

You will also need a copy of the vacancy announcement to use as a guide in answering the questions.  You must provide responses to all required questions. Some questions may request an additional written response to support your answer, such as "Please explain or provide additional information to support your response to the above question."  When additional information is requested, please provide your answer(s) on a separate sheet of paper with the corresponding questionnaire number indicated, and type or print your answers legibly.  You may omit any sections marked “optional” and be sure to double check your application before submission.  NOTE:  The Questionnaire answer sheet is six pages long -- all six pages MUST be submitted even when the number of questions does not exceed page 5.  In this case, please complete the top of Page 6 with your social security number and the vacancy ID number. 

You may submit the Form 1203-FX, resume and any supporting documents by fax.

If you are faxing a Form 1203-FX, do not use a separate cover sheet.  Simply make sure the Form 1203-FX is on top of any other documents you are faxing.

If you are faxing any documents without the Form 1203-FX on top, you MUST use the special cover page.  Print the pre-populated cover page on the upload documents screen of Application Manager, or you may click this link ( http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf ) to print a blank copy of the cover page.  When faxing documents, follow the procedures outlined below: 

Include the 8-character Vacancy Identification Number LP195877
Provide your Social Security Number and full name in the spaces provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application.
You may submit multiple documents for the same vacancy announcement using one cover page.

Fax your cover page and documents to 1-478-757-3144. 

Be sure to fill it out completely and clearly.  Place your documents in the following order: US Government Application Cover Page;  Resume or OF 612 (Application for Employment); Other required application materials.

The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.  Feed all documents into your fax machine top first so that we receive them right-side up.  If you fax your documents using any other cover sheet, you may not receive consideration.

Mailed, e-mailed or hand delivered applications will not be accepted.  If you are unable to upload your documents after completing the Occupational Questionnaire online, you may FAX your documents (resume, transcripts, etc.) as instructed above.

Required Documents:

All of the government forms mentioned in the above statements can be downloaded from the following web address:  www.opm.gov/forms or obtained at the Human Resources Management Office of the duty station.

Contact Information:
VHA Nationwide DEU-LA

Phone: (310)268-4150

TDD: 800-877-8339

Email: vajobs.deu@va.gov


Or write:
VHA DEU Los Angeles
PLEASE DO NOT MAIL APPLICATIONS
APPLY ONLINE OR FAX ONLY
Thank you, CA 00000


What To Expect Next:

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire.  The questionnaire is designed to capture the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.  The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire and is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position.

If your application does not support your responses to the questionnaire, or if you are not able to provide verifying documentation, it may affect your evaluation or result in your name being removed from further consideration.

If you are eligible for veterans' preference, you will be given preference based on the documentation you submit.  Please see the "Veterans Information" section of this announcement for details.

This office will not contact you to discuss missing or illegible documents. 

Once your qualifications have been evaluated, your application will be assigned a numeric score.  Candidates will be ranked in score order with appropriate points added for veterans' preference. 

An ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION LETTER will be sent to applicants who provide an e-mail address.  If you do not provide an e-mail address, you will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service.  Normal processing time is 4 - 6 weeks.  This office is responsible for initial evaluation ONLY.  Facilities are responsible for contacting eligible applicants thereafter.