Psychiatrist, Office of Forensic Services and Coordination

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Brief Job Description

The Psychiatrist oversees senior-level clinical and administrative psychiatric work and is based in the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination (OFSC), Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS) and reports to the Associate Commissioner and State Forensic Director.

The Psychiatrist provides clinical support and administrative guidance for all psychiatric forensic services in Texas State Hospitals (TSH) and State Supported Living Centers (SSLC). These include services for adult patients committed as not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) and as incompetent to stand trial (IST) as well as adolescent patients committed as unfit to proceed or admitted voluntarily as a condition of probation. These patients present with serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders (substance use and/or intellectual disabilities) and frequently also have significant non-psychiatric medical diagnoses.

The Psychiatrist will work with HSCS facility leadership and staff to advance and enhance forensic treatment through the development, revision, and implementation of evidence-based forensic admission, treatment, restoration, and discharge policies and procedures. The Psychiatrist will support the Texas State Hospital system as the Chair of the Forensic Services Subcommittee and advance forensic priorities and establish workgroups to meet identified needs.

An ability to work with all disciplines and administrative levels from direct care staff to consulting physicians to agency leadership is essential. The Psychiatrist will be expected to travel to HSCS facilities and work directly with forensic leadership and staff to implement system-wide activities and provide consultative guidance. The Psychiatrist may conduct forensic assessments and evaluations and will also provide complex case reviews for HSCS facilities, working collaboratively with other OFSC clinicians to staff these cases. The Psychiatrist is a member of and may chair meetings of the statewide Dangerousness Review Board (DRB) that determinations the manifest dangerousness of state hospital patients.

The Psychiatrist will provide expert forensic, clinical, and administrative guidance to the Associate Commissioner, Deputy Executive Commissioner, and HSCS leadership and is expected to work collaboratively with leadership and staff across OFSC, HSCS, and the Health and Human Services Commission. The Psychiatrist will plan, develop and participate in high-priority forensic initiatives developed by the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination.

The Psychiatrist will serve as a point of contact for local forensic stakeholders, including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, jail leadership and medical staff, and local mental health, behavioral health, and intellectual and developmental disability authorities.

In addition to leadership in forensic psychiatry, the Psychiatrist is expected to remain competent in knowledge of psychopharmacology, general psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, electronic health record usage, telepsychiatry usage, and general computer skills. The Forensic Psychiatrist will work under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Provides forensic leadership and guidance to the HSCS system in the development, implementation, and oversight of forensic psychiatry policies, procedures, ongoing care, discharge planning, and training. (25%)

Provides training and clinical guidance and support to HSCS facility forensic psychiatrists and other facility clinicians, including consulting with HSCS facility staff on complex or high-risk forensic cases and provides case specific support for determinations related to competency restoration potential and NGRI cases. (25%)

Collaborates on system-wide initiatives with Texas State Hospitals and State Supported Living Centers medical leadership, including clinical, policy, and procedural changes that would improve clinical and forensic outcomes. (20%)

Chairs the Forensic Services Subcommittee for Texas State Hospitals and initiates projects and workgroups to improve forensic treatment and care. (10%)

Conducts clinical security reviews and performs and documents forensic evaluations. (10%)

Works with judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, jail leadership and medical staff, and local mental health, behavioral health, and intellectual and developmental disability authorities to provide direct technical assistance on forensic treatment, alternative dispositions, court-ordered medication, and other forensic-related policies, procedures, and training. (5%)

Represents the agency and office in workgroups and provides presentations to internal and external stakeholders. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of methods and procedures in forensic psychiatry, general psychiatry, and general medicine

Knowledge and of principles of the development, implementation, and documentation of forensic assessments, evaluations, and individualized care and treatment plans

Knowledge of Texas laws pertaining to forensic commitments and procedures

Skills in the assessment care and treatment of forensic patients

Skills in the use of medical and psychiatric forensic diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment

Skills in the documentation of forensic psychiatric care

Skills in effectively using an electronic healthcare record, telepsychiatry equipment, desktop computer, and Microsoft Office software.

Collaborative mindset to effectively partner with Texas State Hospital and State Supported Living Center leadership and staff, as well as other HHSC division leadership and staff.

Solution-focused with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills and the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in a fast pace, high performance environment.
High degree of integrity and the ability to build trust and communicate effectively.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Valid unrestricted Texas Medical License with current registration

Board certification in psychiatry

Board certification in forensic psychiatry or at least five years working with forensic populations

Must meet, or be eligible to meet Texas statutory qualifications to conduct forensic evaluations

DEA Certificate – Unrestricted

Initial Screening Criteria

Meets registration, licensure requirements and certifications

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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

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.