Psychologist III Forensic Evaluator

Texas Health and Human Services; Vernon (TX); On-site; USD 101,536 - 132,407; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid employee health insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Generous time off benefits

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services is seeking a Psychologist III (Forensic Evaluator) in Vernon, TX, to conduct advanced psychological work under the State Hospital Medical Director. This role includes performing competency evaluations and violence risk assessments with colleagues across various disciplines.

Key qualifications include a doctoral degree in psychology, licensure in Texas, and experience in forensic evaluations and psychotherapy. The position offers excellent benefits and a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• Licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state.
• Minimum one year of supervised experience in psychological services.
• Experience in conducting forensic evaluations and standard psychological assessments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forensic psychological assessments and psycho-legal evaluations.
• Supervise the work of others and graduate psychology trainees.
• Provide consultation and training on forensic evaluations.

Skills

Forensic psychological assessment

Psychotherapy techniques (CBT, DBT)

Use of psychological instruments

Expert testimony

Team collaboration

Treatment documentation

Training and supervision

Education

Doctoral degree in psychology

Tools

MMPI

HCR-20

VRAG

TOMM

MFAST

SIRS

Job description

Date: May 28, 2026

Location: VERNON, TX

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. Your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full‑time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

Basic Information

Functional Title: Psychologist III Forensic Evaluator
Job Title: Psychologist III
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Residential Care Supervisor J
Posting Number: 17402
Closing Date: 08/26/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
Salary Range: $9,098.26 - $11,864.50
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-27
Shift: Day
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 10%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location: Vernon State Hospital
Job Location City: VERNON
Job Location Address: 4730 COLLEGE DR
MOS Codes: 230X,42PX,71F,73B

Brief Job Description

The Psychologist III (Forensic Evaluator) performs advanced and/or managerial (senior‑level) psychological work under the direction of the State Hospital Medical Director. The Forensic Evaluator is responsible for conducting the 46B and Chapter 55 competency evaluations, as well as violence risk assessments under 46C. Responsibilities include developing, supporting, coordinating forensic psychological activities and programs, and conducting forensic psychological assessments and psycho‑legal evaluations of patients’ competency to stand trial. Oversees forensic programs in collaboration with other relevant disciplines including competency restoration, trial competency evaluation, and evaluation and treatment of individuals acquitted as not guilty by reason of insanity. Supervises the work of others and graduate psychology trainees as requested. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

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.

Essential Job Functions

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Provides hospital administration and recovery teams with consultation, training, and guidance on the appropriate application of forensic evaluations on competency restoration commitments and safe community discharge planning. Provides additional training on the implementations and communicating with courts in a manner that facilitates discharge to the community.

Designs, conducts, and coordinates forensic activities and programs. Conducts evaluations of psychological patients on 46B/46C/Chapter 55 commitments in accordance with the HHSC State Hospital Forensic Operatic Procedure and utilizes evidence‑based and standardized instruments to ensure accurate assessments. Coordinates with interdisciplinary teams, including medical, legal, and administrative staff, to develop comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation plans. Provides expert consultation and testimony as needed in legal proceedings. Maintains thorough documentation and compliance with regulatory standards while contributing to ongoing program development, training, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance forensic services.

Oversees forensic programs in collaboration with other relevant disciplines competency restoration, trial competency evaluation, and evaluation and treatment of individuals acquitted as not guilty by reason of insanity. Develops and implements procedures to ensure that forensic evaluations are completed, documented, and communicated to the relevant courts or other entities in accordance with applicable statutes, standards, and policies. Evaluates and ensures the professional competency of forensic evaluators through coaching and training as needed. Collaborates with other disciplines to develop forensic policies and procedures.

Provides specialized forensic psychological services tailored to legal and clinical settings, which encompass a range of assessments and interventions designed to assess and manage mental health and behavioral concerns. Conducts psychological evaluations to determine the presence of mental disorders, performing suicide risk assessments to identify individuals at risk of self‑harm, and administers COPSD (Co‑occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders) assessments to evaluate the interplay of mental health and substance use disorders. Responsible for conducting forensic trial competency evaluations to assess an individual’s mental fitness for court proceedings, performing violence risk assessments to gauge the potential for harm to others, and providing psychotherapy in various formats, such as individual, group, or family therapy. Offers debriefing services following incidents involving restraint or seclusion, aimed at addressing the psychological impacts and promoting healing and recovery in affected individuals.

Provides patients with recovery‑focused care, including an emphasis on reducing use of restraints when possible. Assists with and participates in performance improvement efforts toward implementation of a recovery/trauma‑informed care (TIC) treatment/recovery planning environment. Applies recovery/TIC principles to all interactions with other staff and treatment team members and supports the team in the ongoing implementation of best practices related to recovery. Specifically supports peer support team and peer support concepts.

Provides consultation and guidance on the appropriate application of forensic‑educational activities based on existing best practices and current peer‑reviewed research. Provides effective expert testimony to courts regarding forensic psychological evaluations and actively supports hospital and agency safety (including patient safety), risk management, and infection control programs.

Provides case outreach, training, education, and expert consultation to multidisciplinary teams, relevant courts, and community stakeholders on forensic services. This is achieved through comprehensive continuing education programs, tailored outreach initiatives, and collaborative efforts designed to enhance awareness, improve inter‑agency coordination, and promote best practices in forensic care and intervention.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of forensic psychological assessment and treatment of the seriously mentally ill forensic populations
• Knowledge of psychotherapy and CBT, DBT, behavior therapy, and other empirically‑supported psychotherapeutic modalities
• Skills in the use of psychological instruments to evaluate personality, neurocognition, adaptive functioning, suicide risk, and malingering (e.g., MMPI, HCR‑20, VRAG, TOMM, MFAST, and SIRS)
• Ability to conduct forensic and psychological assessments and write clear, concise reports
• Ability to provide expert testimony to courts regarding forensic and psychological assessments
• Ability to provide direct services in accordance with accepted professional standards
• Ability to function as a member of the psychology management team
• Ability to provide individual and family education regarding serious mental illness
• Ability to complete treatment documentation in electronic medical record using computer
• Ability to communicate assessment data and treatment/discharge implications to team members, courts, and patients where appropriate
• Ability to educate staff in correct implementation of individual and group therapy programs as well as Individualized Intervention programs as needed
• Ability to operate a computer and applicable software
• Ability to train and supervise the work of others

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

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

Initial Screening Criteria

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a doctoral degree in psychology.

One year of supervised experience by a licensed psychologist in the field of psychological services; the year of supervised experience may be interpreted as an academic year of full‑time supervised internship in an approved clinical program.

One year of experience conducting both forensic evaluations and standard psychological assessments and writing reports with forensic populations in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

One year of experience conducting individual and group psychotherapy with forensic populations in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

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 (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), 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.

Veteran and Military Encouragement

Active‑duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position.

Nearest Major Market

Wichita Falls