Lead Psychiatrist

Date: Aug 12, 2026
Location: Rusk, TX

About the Role

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. The Lead Psychiatrist performs highly advanced psychiatric work under direct supervision of the State Hospital (SH) Medical Director. Directs, oversees, and/or conducts the examination and diagnoses of patients, and administers psychiatric treatment and medication as needed. Administers specialized psychiatric treatments and/or procedures. Directs staff and provides leadership to ensure optimal quality psychiatric treatment services for individuals entrusted to the care of the SH.

If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments.

Responsibilities

• Directs, oversees, and/or conducts the examination and diagnoses of patients, and administers psychiatric treatment and medication as needed.
• Administers specialized psychiatric treatments and/or procedures.
• Leads the patient’s recovery team and provides guidance on the treatment of the patients under their care.
• Reviews patient records and files in conjunction with the recovery team to determine the progress, effectiveness, and appropriateness of treatment services offered.
• Plans, assigns, and/or supervises the work of others, including other Psychiatrists.
• Participates in committees of the State Hospital Governing Body and performance improvement activities.
• Participates in or directs clinically related committees to recommend guidelines and standards of care in response to changes in research literature, regulatory environment, or public health.
• Plans, assigns, and guides the work of others in the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.
• Conducts psychiatric clinics as scheduled and psychiatric reviews as requested by the review team or the central office Chief Medical Officer.
• Treats each individual with the most effective medication and dosage; reviews lab work, modifies recovery plans, and records deliberations and treatments accurately and timely in the electronic health record.
• Develops and implements psychiatric recovery plans documenting how supports and interventions are customized for individuals’ psychiatric needs, strengths, and preferences.
• Develops and organizes implementation timeframes and provides guidance to the recovery team and direct care staff while following HHSC and local policies and procedures, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) conditions of participation, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and other state statutes.
• Reads and analyzes medical records, leads discussions in staff meetings, participates in conference calls concerning clinical psychiatric issues, and reviews the clinical practice of providers in peer review proceedings.
• Interacts with and makes recommendations to family members, guardians, and legally authorized representatives (LAR) when requested, and obtains timely medication consents.
• Ensures collaboration between psychiatry and other medical disciplines for dually diagnosed individuals.
• Consults with other psychiatrists, medical staff, psychologists, and others to collaboratively develop psychiatric interventions and participate in restraint reduction efforts.
• Manages acute psychiatric care including authorizing emergency restraints and writing orders for the emergency use of medication.
• Reviews and monitors system data and trends related to the quality of psychiatric care provided at the SH; addresses issues identified and presents changes to the recovery plan.
• Attends meetings and chairs discussions to inform and create buy-in to necessary changes and follows through on SH performance improvement plans.
• Participates in desk and onsite audits by reviewing records and applying audit tools.
• Maintains open and regular communication with the Medical Director, Superintendent, and other staff to ensure the transfer of needed information and continuity of services.
• Participates in various Medical Staff Committees and Sub-committees (Utilization Management, Infection Control, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, etc.) designed to ensure patients are receiving quality care.
• Participates in mandatory training per HHSC policies and procedures, HIPAA policies, state and federal rules and regulations, TJC standards, and CMS conditions of participation.
• Travels occasionally to other SHs to participate in team reviews to assess compliance with regulations, policies, and standards.
• Provides psychiatric coordination, collaboration, and consultation with the facility Medical Director, central office Chief Medical Officer, and other leadership in all matters of patient care services, quality improvement initiatives, TJC compliance, and regulatory agency code compliances.
• Advises leadership of unusual or difficult psychiatric problems experienced at the SH.
• Stays current with research of psychiatric and behavioral health treatments; reviews and makes recommendations for changes in evaluation tools and treatment protocols.
• Provides staff guidance and training for new employees, professional staff, direct contact staff, and families.
• If the assigned SH supports a psychiatric residency program, may serve as a supervising physician and liaison to resolve issues related to student rotations.
• If the assigned SH employs psychiatric advanced practice registered nurses (PAPRN), may serve as delegating physician as requested.
• Actively participates in disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

• Medical degree from an accredited medical school.
• Completion of an accredited psychiatric residency program.
• Current license to practice medicine in the State of Texas or eligibility for Texas licensure.
• Board certification or eligibility in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures in the field of general medicine and general psychiatry.
• Knowledge of principles of the development, implementation, and documentation of person-centered individualized care and recovery plans.
• Knowledge of the principles of behavior treatment and ability to work collaboratively with staff.
• Knowledge of the state formulary guidelines for maximum doses.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.
• 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
• Lifetime monthly retirement annuity.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

Pay

Salary Range: $23,068.08 - $25,432.58 per month

Schedule

• Full-time, regular position.
• Day shift (First).
• Eligible for telework.
• Up to 10% travel required.
• May be required to work extended shifts, rotating schedules, or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy.
• May serve in an on-call or on-duty status on a rotating schedule to meet operational needs of the facility.