Director of Social 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.

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? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted 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.

Performs highly responsible and complex duties for the effective leadership and management of the social work department, including its array of services.  Actively directs, manages, and evaluates the administration and clinical operations of the department.  Responsible to ensure that delivery of casework services hospital-wide are in compliance with local, state, federal standards, policies, and procedures such as Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) guidelines.

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.

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.

Responsible for departmental and treatment units performance indicators both clinical and administrative.  Participates in the development/implementation of improvement initiatives within the scope of professional qualifications.  Provides department specific resource utilization review reports.

Performs all administrative functions that are assigned by the Medical Director or Superintendent to include but not limited to developing responses to consumer inquiries, in-house requests for service/resource modifications, routine communication with staff at all levels of the facility and other facilities within the HHS Division of Mental Health Services as necessary.

Provides leadership in program implementation and development of Social Services and treatment units operations ensuring that staff resources and level of competence are matched with program needs and expectations.  Provides management and works in conjunction with social work supervisors and unit-based program staff to ensure maximum utilization of resources.

Ensure that all staff within Social Services perform at optimal levels of performance and productivity during any clinical related activities (e.g., recovery team processes, casework, and provision of therapeutic interventions).  Holds staff accountable and ensures that assigned tasks, responsibilities, and all departmental and facility goals and objectives are substantially met.  Ensures that annual performance plans and evaluations are completed in a timely manner.

Demonstrates competency-based skills in provision of all clinical and therapeutic services and in the provision of supervision and consultation to professional service providers.

Promotes principles of customer service, patient satisfaction and rights protection.  Works to improve processes and relationships to meet customer expectations.

Works closely and collaboratively with hospital management in support and establishment of systems and linkages to managed care organizations and all Local Mental Health Authorities and Behavioral Health Authorities.  Demonstrates a cooperative, supportive, and empathetic and professional demeanor in working with staff, patients, family members, advocacy groups, law enforcement, courts, attorneys, educational institutions, city, county, state officials, the general public and others.

Actively serves on hospital committees, quality improvement teams, work groups and any hospital related appointments.

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 of social work principles and ethics.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and accrediting organizations such as The Joint Commission and CMS specifically relevant to in-patient psychiatric hospitals and especially related to the provision of social services. 

Knowledge of and or job experience working with Behavioral Health Organizations within an inpatient psychiatric facility.

Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternate solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems and in operating computers and applicable computer software. 

Ability to analyze and solve complex problems. Skills in reading and developing construction plans and requests.

Ability to develop, interpret, and use data in decision making.

Ability to develop staff and maintain an effective working culture.

Ability to use software for floor plans such as Microsoft Visio and AutoCAD

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners preferred not required.
 

Licensure (LMSW) as issued by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners

Initial Screening Criteria:

Master of Social Work

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the area of supervision of social work staff working within an inpatient psychiatric hospital facility

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 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. Vaccines may be provided. 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