Mental Health Specialist V

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

The Mental Health Specialist V performs highly advanced psychological/therapeutic work under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist, a licensed social worker, or therapist. This role provides consultation regarding behavioral interventions for patients across the hospital, involving recovery planning, counseling/therapy, conducting support groups, communicating with families, Legally Authorized Representatives (LARs), courts, and Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) or Local Behavioral Health Authorities (LBHAs), reporting, developing behavior plans, and documentation. The position requires the ability to work independently and with a high degree of accuracy, and may plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.

Responsibilities

• Performs psychological activities under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist, licensed social worker, or therapist, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred.
• Meets with families of patients and other recovery team members to provide information and assist with discharge planning.
• Develops individualized Person-Centered Recovery Plans incorporating the patient's goals, noting barriers to achieving these goals, and including appropriate objectives and interventions.
• Interviews referred patients and makes recommendations to the patient's recovery team regarding treatments to help the patient achieve stability, goals, and maintain recovery after discharge.
• Develops and/or conducts specialized psychoeducational groups to help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their recovery.
• Interviews patients and reviews records to assist with diagnostic clarification and recovery planning in regular recovery team meetings and difficult case conferences.
• Conducts individual and group sessions that help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their recovery or efforts to regain competency, documenting all efforts in the medical record.
• Develops individual behavior plans to address problematic behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, and intrusiveness, working with staff to implement these plans and monitoring their effectiveness.
• Conducts psychological test administration, scoring, and interpretation under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist as needed.
• Participates in quality assurance and quality enhancement activities related to service provision and treatment across the hospital, including completing chart audits and participating in tracer activities.
• Actively participates in disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in psychological/therapeutic work.
• Two or more years with assessment and treatment, including work with populations evidencing severe psychopathology (preferred).
• Must hold one of the following licenses or certifications: Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical or Master Social Worker (LCSW or LMSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Skills

• Knowledge of psychology, counseling, social work, and related disciplines.
• Knowledge of treatment techniques and practices.
• Skill in interviewing patients.
• Ability to assist with 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.

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 registries, and the 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; Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required, including overtime and/or extended hours.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.
• Active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified.

Pay

$6,149.00 - $7,253.83 per month

Schedule

• Full-time
• Day shift
• Up to 10% travel required
• Not eligible for telework

Benefits

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