Director of Psychology

About the Role

The Psychologist IV (Director of Psychology) provides highly advanced, senior‑level psychological services under the direction of the State Hospital Medical Director. The role includes consultation, training, and guidance to hospital administration, development and revision of policies and procedures, and coordination of psychological and behavioral health services to ensure continuity of care, trauma‑informed, recovery‑focused treatment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide consultation, training, and guidance to hospital administration, recovery teams, and interdisciplinary staff on psychological evaluations, treatment planning, and safe discharge practices.
• Review documentation for compliance with policies, standards of care, quality service, and regulations.
• Design, conduct, and coordinate psychological and behavioral health programs in line with agency policies and professional standards.
• Conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations using standardized, evidence‑based instruments and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop integrated treatment plans.
• Oversee psychological programs and services in collaboration with medical, nursing, social work, and administrative disciplines to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance.
• Develop, implement, and revise policies and procedures to ensure accurate, timely clinical documentation in accordance with applicable laws and standards.
• Provide professional supervision, consultation, and clinical leadership to psychology staff and assigned personnel.
• Evaluate staff performance, identify training needs, and deliver coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance.
• Assess and improve psychological and behavioral health services, monitor program effectiveness, analyze trends, and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure coordination and integration of psychological services with other facility programs to support continuity of care and system‑wide values.
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives, quality assurance activities, and collaborative planning to strengthen service delivery and patient outcomes.
• Apply recovery‑focused, trauma‑informed care principles, promote patient engagement, and reduce restrictive interventions when appropriate.
• Support peer‑support concepts and initiatives throughout the facility.
• Participate in staff selection, orientation, and onboarding to ensure effective integration and readiness.
• Perform special projects or assignments as requested by leadership and stay current with professional standards and emerging practices.
• Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation as needed, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of delivering psychological services to individuals with psychiatric and substance‑use diagnoses.
• Understanding of etiology and characteristics of psychiatric and substance‑use disorders.
• Familiarity with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Proficiency in administering standardized evaluations.
• Skills in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of psychotropic medications and systems for tracking treatment effectiveness.
• Ability to train staff in programming and related psychological/behavioral areas.
• Ability to professionally supervise psychological/behavioral and programming staff.
• Capability to work with minimal supervision and make decisions within broad guidelines.
• Advanced writing skills for technical reports, grants, research proposals, and related documents.
• Leadership skills for motivating staff and implementing change.
• Proficiency with personal computers and relevant software.

Licensure & Certifications

Must hold and maintain a valid, current license as a Psychologist issued by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state.

Experience Requirements

• At least three years of experience administering psychological services in an inpatient psychiatric setting (preferred).
• At least three years of experience administering standardized evaluations.
• Minimum of two years’ experience supervising psychological/behavioral and programming staff (preferred).
• Experience with applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation (preferred).

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full‑time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time‑off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.
• Additional benefits detailed on the “Benefits of Working at HHS” webpage.

Compensation

Salary range: $10,761.37 – $14,356.00 per month (pay frequency: monthly). Salary Group: TEXAS‑B‑29.

Work Schedule

Full‑time, exempt position. Primary shift: Day (first shift). Telework not eligible. Travel up to 10% may be required. Flexibility in work hours, overtime, and extended hours may be required.

Additional Requirements

• Pass fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks (including CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, LEIE).
• Male applicants ages 18‑25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age (Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21).
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures; vaccination required for certain disease exposures, with mask or other protective measures if influenza vaccination is declined.
• Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA.