Psychologist / Children and Adolescent 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. The HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals located throughout the state and one youth residential psychiatric center in Waco. The HSCS is a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospitals 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 Psychologist III performs highly advanced, specialized, and/or managerial psychological work, and is required to complete complex tasks and make varied decisions within broad parameters and with minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Psychologist III provides professional supervision and consultation for all staff psychologists and special programs. The Psychologist III may also supervise psychology interns or practicum students. He/she actively participates in and approves decisions to hire staff psychologists. The Psychologist III is responsible for ongoing performance evaluation of staff psychologists and participates in the formal evaluation process. The Psychologist III reviews and coordinates the review and approval process for behavior support plans and reviews the use of psychotropic medication in treating behavior problems. The Psychologist III systematically evaluates the consistent implementation of behavior support plans through personal observation, staff interviews, and review of documentation. He/she works with Unit Directors and staff psychologists to facilitate effective program implementation. The Psychologist III provides for professional development of staff psychologists including applied behavior analysis, learning principles, positive behavior support, and contemporary psychological issues to positively impact service delivery. The Psychologist III is responsible for maintaining knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policy, and for developing systems and procedures to meet the standards and requirements therein. The Psychologist III directly supervises assigned clerical support staff and develops and maintains assigned budgetary responsibilities relevant to psychological and behavioral services. Some travel is required, and work schedule varies upon request or as needed.

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 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.
• Provides professional supervision and consultation to psychology staff and others, as needed, to ensure effective staff performance and resident support. (20%)
• Evaluates psychological and behavioral services for children and adolescents, and develops plans of improvement as needed to address needs/deficiencies to ensure compliance with relevant laws, standards, and policies as well as to ensure best practice. (20%)
• Ensures ongoing training and technical assistance to assigned professional staff and others as needed (e.g., direct contact staff) to facilitate service delivery and professional growth. (15%)
• Ensures coordination and integration of psychological and behavioral services of children and adolescents with other areas throughout the facility to ensure clear expectations, facilitate best practices, ensure uniformity of procedures, and to support system values. (15%)
• Ensures quality and effectiveness of children and adolescent psychological activities and programs and oversees evaluations when indicated. (10%)
• Participates in the joint selection and orientation of assigned staff to ensure appropriate screening, hiring processes, and effective selection/orientation. (5%)
• Performs special assignments at the request of the Medical Director. (5%)
• Maintains current knowledge in relevant professional areas. (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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge and experience in administering all aspects of psychological services to persons with psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.
• Knowledge regarding etiology and characteristics of psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.
• Knowledge regarding applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policy.
• Knowledge regarding psychotropic medications and systems to track treatment effectiveness.
• Knowledge and skill in the administration of standardized evaluations.
• Knowledge and skill in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Knowledge and skill in using personal computers and relevant software.
• Leadership skills in motivating staff and effectively implementing changes.
• Advanced writing skills in developing technical reports, grants, research proposals, and other relevant documents.
• Ability to train staff in programming and related psychological/behavioral areas.
• Ability to professionally supervise psychological/behavioral and programming staff.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and make varied decisions within broad guidelines/parameters.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications:

• Must be licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• A doctoral degree in Psychology.
• Experience in the administration of standardized evaluations.
• Experience administering psychological services in an inpatient psychiatric setting is preferred.
• Applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience supervising psychological/behavioral and programming staff is preferred.

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