Mental Health Specialist III

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, and numerous opportunities for career advancement.

About the role

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 teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need.

HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based.

The Mental Health Specialist III performs senior-level highly complex psychological/therapeutic work. The MHS III provides consultation regarding behavioral interventions for patients across the hospital. Work involves performing psychological activities, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred from assigned unit and/or from other units. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Other duties include 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. This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Responsibilities

• Performs psychological activities, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred from home unit and/or from other units.
• Meets with families of patients with other treatment team members to provide information and help with discharge planning.
• Performs psychosocial assessments and interviews patients; constructs recommended treatment plans that promote psychiatric stability.
• Evaluates and coordinates projects and program alterations to examine evidence-based practices to reduce workplace violence and increase the quality of the environmental setting of the hospital.
• Coordinates continuing educational opportunities for hospital staff and identifies possibilities for staff to facilitate continuing education for emerging practices.
• Conducts individual and group sessions that help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their recovery or efforts to regain competency; documents all efforts in the medical record.
• Develops and/or conducts specialized psychoeducational groups to help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their treatment.
• Analyzes behavior of psychiatric patients, implements behavior plans by training staff members, and develops/implements treatment plans to establish psychiatric stability using the state hospital Individualized Milieu Management System (IMMS).
• Interviews referred patients and makes recommendations to the patient's treatment team regarding treatments to help the patient achieve stability, goals, and maintain recovery after discharge.
• Develops individual behavior plans to address problematic behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, intrusiveness, etc.; works with staff to successfully implement these plans and monitors effectiveness, modifying plans as needed.
• Conducts psychological test administration, scoring, and interpretation as needed.
• Develops individualized Person-Centered Treatment Plans and prepares Treatment team reports incorporating the patient's goals, noting barriers, and including appropriate objectives, modifications, and interventions.
• Participates in quality assurance and quality enhancement activities related to psychological service provision and treatment across the hospital, including completing chart audits, participating in tracer activities, and reporting on psychological services provided.
• Provides guidance and oversight to psychology students or other staff to ensure the vision and mission of the hospital system remains the primary focus of care.
• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule, extended shifts, and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work. Master’s degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in psychological/therapeutic work preferred.
• 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 and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required; position may require overtime and/or extended hours.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. In the event you choose not to be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Skills

• Knowledge of psychology and related disciplines, treatment techniques, and practices.
• Skill in interviewing and conducting diagnostic interviews.
• Ability to conduct individual, group, and family psychotherapy.
• Ability to develop plans for implementing and monitoring rehabilitation activities in skill acquisition and behavior management.
• Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to implement individual and group behavior therapy programs and appropriate use of milieu structures.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Pay

$5,370.75 - $6,335.66 per month.

Schedule

• Full-time, regular position.
• Day shift.
• Travel up to 5%.
• Not eligible for telework.