Director of SSLC Forensic Psychological Services

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. At HHSC, 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. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

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? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other and teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below. 

Reporting to the Associate Commissioner for the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination, the Director of SSLC Forensic Psychological Services performs highly advanced psychological and administrative (senior-level) work, providing direction and coordination of the strategic operation and planning of psychological forensic services provided to adults found incompetent to stand trial and juveniles deemed unfit to proceed in Texas State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs). The Director of SSLC Psychological Forensic Services assists in the development, implementation, coordination, and oversight of forensic services and programming across Texas SSLCs. The Director of SSLC Psychological Forensic Services consults on complex forensic cases, conducts forensic competency assessments and evaluations, and provides court testimony as necessary. Additionally, the Director of SSLC Psychological Services will provide guidance and expert consultation on forensic admission policies and procedures as part of highly advanced administrative work.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

•    Attends work on a regular basis and may be required 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.
•    Develops, supports, and coordinates forensic psychological services for Texas SSLCs. 
•    Directs, plans, and evaluates the delivery of competency restoration and fitness to proceed services across Texas SSLCs. 
•    Provides direction in the development, implementation, and oversight of forensic mental health policies, procedures, guidelines, treatment, discharge planning, and training, including competency restoration/fitness to proceed curricula and the production of quality trial competency/fitness to proceed evaluations and determination of intellectual disability assessments. 
•    Designs and implements initiatives that improve the quality and provision of forensic services at Texas SSLCs.
•    Provides training, oversight, and guidance for the high-risk determination (HRD) process in the Texas SSLCs. 
•    Administers and interprets psychological tests and conducts forensic and clinical psychological assessments as needed. 
•    Conducts trial competency examinations, chapter 55 evaluations, risk assessments, forensic consultations, and other forensic assessments and evaluations for Texas SSLCs.
•    Provides expert psychological consultation on difficult forensic-related cases referred to the Texas SSLCs.
•    Provides consultation and guidance in the development of educational forensic activities based on existing best practices and current peer-reviewed research.
•    Provides training to staff on psychological best practices related to providing services to the forensic mental health population in the SSLCs. 
•    Provides training and support to behavioral health staff in providing expert testimony at court hearings relating to competency/fitness/eligibility status of individuals served by SSLCs. 
•    Provides advanced consultative activities related to forensic admissions.
•    Serves as a subject matter expert and provides expert consultation, technical assistance, outreach, consultation, and training to internal and external entities and community stakeholders on forensic services and best practices for justice-involved adults and juveniles served in Texas SSLCs.
•    Works in collaboration with Texas Health and Human Services Commission and HSCS stakeholders and partners.
•    Serves on various committees and workgroups as assigned.
•    Provides clinical and/or administrative supervision of others as assigned.
•    Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are 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 services to persons with intellectual disabilities. 

Knowledge regarding etiology and characteristics of developmental disabilities. 

Knowledge and skills in the administration of standardized evaluations including assessments of intelligence and adaptive behavior. 

Knowledge and skills in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation. 
Knowledge of clinical treatment/psychotherapy modalities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serious mental illness. 
Knowledge of Texas laws pertaining to forensic commitments and procedures. 
Knowledge of forensic psychological assessment, to include skills in diagnosis, interviewing, documentation, and report writing. 
Skills in the use of psychological instruments to evaluate personality, neurocognition, adaptive functioning, suicide risk, violence risk, criminogenic risk, and malingering. 
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 training and technical assistance to clinical and administrative staff on forensic services.
Ability to navigate an electronic medical record. 
Ability to communicate assessment data and treatment/discharge implications to treatment teams, courts, community stakeholders, and patients, where appropriate. 
Ability to operate a computer and applicable software, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software. 

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.

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. 
Board Certification in Forensic Psychology is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Training in forensic psychology.

Experience in administering forensic psychological services to persons with intellectual disabilities.

Experience in conducting forensic psychological assessments and evaluations, including evaluation of competency, violence risk assessments, and assessments in intelligence and adaptive behavior. 
 

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

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.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form