OPT- Senior Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Job in Colorado Springs, CO

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

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

Duties

This position is located at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care | Veterans Affairs. This position is assigned to the outpatient Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Clinic under the Mental Health Service.

The duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Actively implements evidence-based treatments within the SUD Clinic.
• Provides clinical oversight towards licensure in LPMHC or addictions counseling and/or actively represents the SUD Clinic in facility or VISN-level workgroups/committees.
• Provides clinical consultation to other members of the workgroup, as needed.
• Provides administrative and/or clinical coverage in the absence of the Program Manager, Detox/MAT Coordinator, or as other clinical needs indicate.
• Completes all components of the intake and assessment process and develops a treatment plan pertaining to all assessed needs.
• Provides same-day services, as needed, for Veterans enrolled in the SUD Clinic, including referring patients for emergency medical treatment, psychiatric medication evaluation, or non-medical detoxification as well as coordinating the admission of patients to the inpatient psychiatric unit of the nearest VA Medical Center or local non-VA facilities.
• Provides a range of treatment services to Veterans with substance use and co-occurring disorders, including but not limited to individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Group treatment includes psychoeducational as well as psychotherapeutic groups. The incumbent utilizes evidence-based treatment methods wherever possible. They employ Motivational Interviewing skills and techniques, as clinically indicated, and applies, as clinically indicated, interventions based on both abstinence and harm reduction approaches to substance use disorders.
• Assesses patient interest in and eligibility for medication assisted therapies and provides referrals for evaluation for these treatments.
• Participates in triage services through the daily same-day access clinics and assists with drug and alcohol monitoring, as needed, in conjunction with psychosocial services.
• Actively participates in staff meetings and team huddles regarding clinical, administrative, and staff development issues.
• Maintains up-to-date charting in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), documenting all contacts with patients in accordance with local policies and procedures.
• Actively participates in program planning and development, making recommendations for changes in policies and procedures as needed, as opportunities arise.
• Takes responsibility for improving the skills of other professionals in the SUD Clinic, participating in the planning and executing of specific staff-development projects, attending seminars and other training events, and participating in the training programs of other disciplines (social work, psychology, psychiatry, nursing, addiction counseling) as requested.
• General knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special program, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension is required.
• Facilitates referrals based upon veterans needs and eligibility.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 probationary 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.
• 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 Eastern Time on 05/05/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12727729.

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.