Mental Health Specialist V
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 Health Specialist V (Mental Health Specialist V) performs highly advanced psychological/therapeutic work under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist. The Mental Health Specialist V provides consultation regarding behavioral interventions for patients across the hospital. Work involves recovery planning, counseling/therapy, reporting, developing behavior plans, and documentation.
Responsibilities
- Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
- Performs psychological activities under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred.
- Develops individualized Person-Centered Recovery Plans as assigned on a rotating basis 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 the treatment(s) which will help the patient achieve stability, achieve his/her goals, and maintain recovery after discharge from the hospital.
- 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 help with diagnostic clarification recovery planning.
- Develops individual behavior plans to address problematic behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, intrusiveness, etc. Works with staff to successfully implement these plans.
- Monitors effectiveness and modifies plans as needed.
- As needed, conducts psychological test administration, scoring, and interpretation under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist.
- Participates in quality assurance and quality enhancement activities related to psychological service provision and to treatment across the hospital.
Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field.
- Three years of experience in psychological/therapeutic work.
- Must have one of the following: Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical or Master Social Worker (LCSW or LMSW), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Skills
- Knowledge of psychology 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.
Benefits
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.