Psychologist II - Forensic Evaluator

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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.

The Psychologist II (Forensic Evaluator) performs advanced and/or managerial (senior-level) psychological work. 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. The Forensic Evaluator provides consultation and training for staff providing forensic education services on competency restoration commitments. 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. 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.

Shift statement (use as needed): This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

MSP statement (use as needed): This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

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, supports, and coordinates forensic psychological activities and programs.

Conducts evaluations of forensic patients on 46B/46C/Chapter 55 commitments in accordance with the HHSC State Hospital Forensic Operating Procedure and uses standardized psychological instruments to complete formal psychological testing when indicated.

In collaboration with the psychology director and superintendent consults, evaluates, and guides the forensic treatment process for the inpatient psychiatric population.

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 communicating with courts in a manner that facilitates discharge to the community.

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.

Effectively works within defined role to reduce the use of restraint and seclusion through the implementation of strategies put forth through mission, vision, values, and training. Models interactions that reflect trauma-informed care and empower individuals to actively participate in their treatment.

Works effectively as a member of the psychology management team, in consultation with the psychology director and superintendent. Provides consultation to teams around criteria for competency in 46B and discharge in 46C populations.

Provides case outreach, training, education, and consultation to other disciplines, relevant courts, and other community stakeholders on forensic services through continuing education programs and other outreach efforts.

Provides clinical and/or administrative supervision of others as assigned.

Actively supports hospital and agency safety (including patient safety) risk management, and infection control programs.

Serves on various hospital committees and workgroups as assigned.

Participates in the hospital quality assessment performance improvement activities, auditing records, evaluating performance indicators, and developing plans of correction.

Effectively works within defined role to provide patients with recovery-focused care, including an emphasis on reducing use of restraints when possible. Demonstrates support for and participation 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.

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 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 (i.e. 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.

A doctoral degree based on a program of studies whose content is primarily psychological in nature (transcript indicates a major in psychology) or its equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education. Examples of such a degree may be found in the regulations of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

Initial Screening Criteria:

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

Experience in psychological work; at least one (1) 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.

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

Demonstrated 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 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.

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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