Psychologist III

Texas Health and Human Services; Terrell (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services seeks a Psychologist to oversee psychological services at their facilities in Terrell, Texas. The role includes providing supervision to staff, evaluating services, and ensuring compliance with laws and best practices.

The ideal candidate must have a doctoral degree in Psychology, experience in psychiatric settings, and a Texas Psychologist license. Flexibility in work hours and possible telework options are available.

Qualifications

• Licensed as a Psychologist by Texas or a reciprocity state.
• Experience in administering psychological service in inpatient settings.
• Supervisory experience in psychological/behavioral staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision to Psychology staff.
• Evaluate psychological services and develop improvement plans.
• Coordinate psychological/behavioral services across facilities.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge in professional areas.

Skills

Knowledge in delivering psychological services

Knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses

Knowledge of laws and regulations

Administering evaluations

Applied behavior analysis

Ability to train staff

Advanced writing skills

Leadership skills

Education

Doctoral degree in Psychology

Job description

Brief Job Description

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

Essential Job Functions

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Provides professional supervision and consultation to Psychology staff and others, as needed, to ensure effective staff performance and resident support.
• Evaluates psychological/behavioral services and develops plans of improvement as needed to address needs/deficiencies to ensure compliance with relevant laws, standards, and policies as well as to ensure best practice.
• Ensures ongoing training and technical assistance to assigned professional staff and others as needed (e.g., direct contact staff) to facilitate service delivery and professional growth.
• Ensures coordination and integration of psychological/behavioral services with other areas throughout the facility to ensure clear expectations, facilitate best practices, ensure uniformity of procedures, and to support system values.
• Ensures quality and effectiveness of psychological activities and programs and oversees evaluations when indicated.
• Participates in the joint selection and orientation of assigned staff to ensure appropriate screening, hiring process, and effective selection/orientation.
• Performs special assignments at the request of the Clinical Director.
• Maintains current knowledge in relevant professional areas.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge and experience in administering all aspects of the delivery of psychological service to persons with psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.
• Knowledge regarding etiology and characteristics of psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.
• Knowledge regarding applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policy.
• Knowledge and skills in the administration of standardized evaluations.
• Knowledge and skills in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Knowledge regarding psychotropic medications and systems to track treatment effectiveness.
• Ability to train staff in programming and related psychological/behavioral areas.
• Ability to professionally supervise psychological/behavioral and programming staff.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and make varied decisions within broad guidelines/parameters.
• Advanced writing skills in developing technical reports, grants, research proposals, and other relevant documents.
• Leadership skills in motivating staff and effectively implementing changes.
• Knowledge and skills in using personal computers and relevant software.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

Must be licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state.

Initial Screening Criteria

• A doctoral degree in Psychology.
• At least three years of experience in administering psychological service in the inpatient psychiatric setting preferred.
• At least three years of experience in the administration of standardized evaluations.
• Applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience supervising psychological/behavioral and programming staff preferred.

Additional Information

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

ADA Accommodations

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Telework Disclaimer

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.