Medical Services Director

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.

Functional Title: Medical Services Director 
Job Title: Physician IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Hospitals Section 
Posting Number: 9758 
Closing Date: 10/30/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-36 
Salary Range: $16,541.58 - $27,975.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 909 W 45TH ST BLDG 552 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 210X,42EX,42FX,42NX,44AX,44BX,44DX,44EX,44FX,44GX,44HX,44JX,44KX,44MX,44NX,44OX,44RX,44SX,44TX,44UX 
44YX,44ZX,45AX,45BX,45EX,45GX,45NX,45PX,45SX,45UX,48AX,48GX,48OX,48RX,48VX,60A,60B,60C,60D,60H,60J 
60K,60L,60N,60P,60S,60T,60V,61E,61F,61G,61H,61J,61K,61L,61M,61N,61P,61Q,61R,61U,61W,61Z,62A,62B,62Z 
67F,67G,SEI12 

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 teamwork? 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 nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, 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.

The State Hospital Medical Services Director serves as a statewide clinical leader responsible for strengthening the delivery of primary and specialized medical care across the State Hospitals (SHs) in alignment with accepted medical practices and principles of Trauma Informed Care. The position establishes preventative and acute care policies and procedures, provides consultation and guidance to SH medical staff, and ensures integration of medical treatment with other hospital programs and services. Working closely with quality assurance activities, the Medical Services Director reviews and monitors quality improvement plans, analyzes data for trends and systemic issues, and implements solutions that enhance medical department performance. This role also advises the Chief Medical Officer and Associate Commissioner on emerging medical issues, disseminates information on treatment trends, and develops training to expand staff knowledge and application of Trauma Informed Care, including strategies to improve care for youth with complex social histories and behavioral needs. Works under the minimal supervision of the SH Chief Medical Officer with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include 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 (EJFs):

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.

Develops and delivers comprehensive training programs to educate staff on the principles of Trauma Informed Care, emphasizing the impact of trauma on patient behavior and the importance of creating safe, supportive, and healing environments. Collaborate with clinical teams, administrators, and training departments to integrate these strategies into daily practice and organizational culture. Evaluate training effectiveness, monitor implementation, and provide ongoing guidance to ensure staff adopt trauma-informed approaches consistently. 15%

Develops and coordinates effective quality assurance activities that measure the consistent delivery of healthcare services in accordance with facility and statewide policies, procedures and practices and evidence-based medical practices.  Participates actively in internal and external review processes.  Conducts on site visits.  Reviews, oversees and monitors SH quality improvement plans to ensure optimum performance of the medical departments of the SHs. 15%

Coordinates medical activities for the SHs. Reviews guidance and best practices such as CDC guidance for pandemic response and issues medical opinions in accordance with current accepted medical practices.  Advises the Chief Medical Officer, Director of Operations, and Associate Commissioner for SHs on matters of importance related to the efficient and effective delivery of healthcare services in SHs. Provides proactive input and justification to improve operations, more effectively allocate resources and for additional resources as needed. Participates in intra- and interagency committees and workgroups such as the State Executive Formulary Committee and Institutional Review Board. 10%

Consults on unusual or difficult medical problems, providing direction and guidance to the treatment team. Assists SHs with Clinical Death Reviews and Ethics Committee meetings.  Reviews patient records and files to determine the progress, effectiveness, and appropriateness of treatment(s) provided. 10%

Monitors medical trends and activities in treatment options through the review of publications, attending seminars, and reviewing guidance in specialty areas (e.g.: Sepsis Alliance, Diabetes Association), to increase the understanding of various diagnoses with an emphasis on people with serious mental illness.  Disseminates information to appropriate SH staff and medical directors. Directs the development of medical forms within the electronic medical health record to improve interactions with other records, proactively target preventative care, and enhance the ability to extract meaningful data. 10%

Directs strategic operations and planning to ensure the delivery of high-quality medical services to individuals served by SHs in accordance with current accepted medical practices. Ensures medical treatment is properly integrated with other programs and services.  Develops and coordinates implementation of statewide policies and procedures that guide the effective delivery of clinical healthcare services in SHs. Establishes proactive preventative care guidance, and acute care guidance as applicable to persons with SMI including topics such as bloodborne pathogens, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, osteoporosis, and seizure management. Provides training to medical clinic directors and other clinical staff on how to operationalize policies, procedures, forms related to those involving medical services. 10%

Provides leadership to promote strong collaboration and operational effectiveness among medical and other clinical areas.  Facilitates, chairs and/or actively contributes to multiple interdisciplinary committees including topics such as polypharmacy, falls, sepsis, pneumonia, physical and nutritional management, and medication variance.   Analyzes data from multiple sources for trends, systemic issues, and areas for improvement.  Proactively identifies issues and implements solutions. 10%

Provides support to State Hospitals in developing and implementing effective physician recruitment and retention strategies. Collaborate with hospital leadership and human resources teams to identify staffing needs, design outreach initiatives, and promote competitive opportunities that attract highly qualified medical professionals. Assist in analyzing turnover trends, evaluating workforce data, and recommending targeted initiatives that enhance retention, professional development, and job satisfaction among physicians. Work closely with stakeholders to ensure recruitment and retention activities align with organizational goals, budget considerations, and the delivery of high-quality patient care. 10%

Designs and implements specialized strategies to improve care for youth with complex social histories and challenging behaviors, including developing evidence-based interventions, coordinating with interdisciplinary teams, and establishing measurable outcomes that support long-term improvement in treatment and patient well-being. 5%

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. 5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge and expertise of understanding and promoting principles and Trauma Informed Care.

Knowledge of, or ability to learn, and HHSC policies and procedures.

Knowledge of issues related to treating individuals in forensic settings.

Skill in providing care for individuals with dual diagnoses of mental illness and substance use disorders.

Skill in the care and treatment of patients and in the use of medical diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment.

Skill in reviewing data. analyzing problems, formulating and implementing plans of corrections, and successfully leading change as evidenced by positive outcomes.

Skill in providing consultation, direction and guidance to assist in the evaluation of patients and implementation of an effective course of treatment in coordination with other interdisciplinary personnel.

Ability to direct a comprehensive medical services delivery program in multiple settings across the state of Texas.

Ability to devise solutions to administrative problems.

Ability to work cooperatively with other clinical and administrative professionals as a member of an interdisciplinary service planning team.

Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and to work in an integrated setting

Ability to maintain required continuing medical education hours.

Ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of others, to direct medical activities, to examine, diagnose and treat physical or mental disorders, to interpret laboratory analyses and x-rays, and to prepare and supervise preparation of case histories and medical records.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be licensed as a medical doctor by the State of Texas.

Must have current registration certificates from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) .

Must possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI#) as defined by Medicare Part B.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited college of medicine/Osteopathic medicine program with a degree as a medical doctor/osteopathic physician.

Completion of an approved residency program in a specialty area related to neurology, pediatrics, family practice, internal medicine or preventative medicine.

Minimum three (3) years professional and clinical experience as a physician providing and coordinating healthcare services.

Minimum three (3) years experience leading, supervising and/or managing the work of others.

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 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.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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

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.