Addiction Therapist (Residential Substance Use Program) Job in San Diego, CA

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

Duties for this position may include but are not limited to:

• Conducts interviews, uses questionnaires or other measurement devices, or observes the patient to assess emotional, functional or psychological condition.

• Follows established procedures to conduct the initial screening of individuals gathering social drug, family and military history and reasons for referral.
• Observes patient behaviors and reaction patterns for use by higher level professions or in reviewing and in modifying patient's treatment plan.
• Provides individual and group counseling to patients and families, makes appropriate referral to community or other professional resources as necessary for effective rehabilitation.
• Conducts short-term, in depth substance use counseling in accordance with specific guidelines and may occasionally handle crisis intervention or emergency situations.
• Functions as a facilitator or co-facilitator providing counseling on everyday problems that surround inappropriate use/misuses of alcohol or other drugs.
• Determines appropriate treatment or rehabilitation for individual patients.
• Provides the results and disposition recommendations to the program coordinator or other higher graded professional.
• Acts as a liaison/resource person to public and private agencies to assure continuity of patient care and appropriate referral for patient and family members.
• Screening to determine need for SUD related care
• Evaluation and assessment of substance specific care needs using agency identified standards
• Orientation to program and general program expectations
• Individual/Group psychoeducation using agency identified standards
• Documentation in the electronic medical record using DAPO format or other format as required
• SME at Multidisciplinary team meetings for treatment and/or staff development purposes
• Relapse prevention planning specific to the patients needs
• Maintaining productivity standards as identified by each area of responsibility
• Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• Maintaining appropriate communication, rapport, and positive working relationships with a variety of organizations and service providers
• Other related duties as assigned which are appropriate to this grade and assignment
• Individual case management/correspondence specific to the patients identified legal/occupational needs
• Crisis intervention specific to patients identified needs and within agencies defined scope of practice
• Assists with vocational service planning
• Assists with referrals to community-based resources
• Analyze and interpret data and recommend changes to care and discharge planning
• Independently manages care needs of a caseload

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/25/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12764691.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.