Mental Health Specialist V

Location: Rusk State Hospital, 805 N Dickinson Dr, Rusk, TX. Posting #22495, closes 11/02/2026. Full-time, exempt, day shift (first shift), not telework-eligible, up to 10% travel. Salary: $6,149.00–$7,253.83 monthly (Salary Group TEXAS-B-21).

About the role

The Mental Health Specialist V performs highly advanced psychological/therapeutic work under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist at Rusk State Hospital (Max Security Unit–Psychology). The role provides consultation regarding behavioral interventions for patients across the hospital, including recovery planning, counseling/therapy, reporting, developing behavior plans, and documentation. Work requires the ability to operate independently with a high degree of accuracy and may involve planning, assigning, and/or supervising the work of others. The position operates under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Additional duties may include supporting disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which could require alternate shift patterns or locations.

Responsibilities

• Attend work regularly; may be assigned specific, rotating, extended, or overtime shifts per agency leave policy.
• Perform psychological activities under licensed Psychologist supervision: individual, group, and/or family therapy with referred patients.
• Meet with patients’ families and recovery team members to provide information and assist with discharge planning.
• Develop individualized Person-Centered Recovery Plans on a rotating basis, incorporating patient goals, barriers, objectives, and interventions.
• Interview referred patients and recommend treatments to the recovery team to achieve stability, goals, and post-discharge recovery.
• Develop and/or conduct specialized psychoeducational groups to help patients gain knowledge and skills for recovery.
• Interview patients and review records for diagnostic clarification and recovery planning, including regular recovery team meetings and difficult case conferences.
• Develop individual behavior plans addressing problematic behaviors (e.g., aggression, self-harm, intrusiveness); work with staff to implement, monitor effectiveness, and modify plans as needed.
• Administer, score, and interpret psychological tests under licensed Psychologist supervision as needed.
• Participate in quality assurance and enhancement activities: chart audits, tracer activities, reporting on services provided.
• Support disaster response/recovery or COOP activation, potentially requiring alternate shifts or locations.

Qualifications

• Master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field from an accredited college/university.
• Three years of experience in psychological/therapeutic work.
• Must hold one of the following current licenses/certifications:
  • Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • 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.

Requirements

• Pass fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks (CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, LEIE).
• Males aged 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Minimum age 18 (21 for Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants).
• Flexibility in work hours; overtime and/or extended hours may be required.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures; healthcare workers are at significant risk for vaccine-preventable diseases (hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, influenza). Employees must be vaccinated according to level of contact; if declining influenza vaccine, may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
• Must provide I-9 documentation on first day of work; HHSC uses E-Verify.

Benefits

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