Chief Psychologist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Rusk, TX

93d • $8,800 - $11,864

About The Position

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, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. The Psychologist III performs highly advanced, specialized, and/or managerial psychological work and is required to complete complex tasks and make varied decisions within broad parameters and with minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Psychologist III provides professional supervision and consultation for all staff psychologists and special programs. The Psychologist III may also supervise psychology interns or practicum students. He/she actively participates in and approves decisions to hire staff psychologists. The Psychologist III is responsible for ongoing performance evaluation of staff psychologists and participates in the formal evaluation process. The Psychologist III reviews and coordinates the review and approval process for behavior support plans and reviews the use of psychotropic medication in treating behavior problems. The Psychologist III systematically evaluates the consistent implementation of behavior support plans through personal observation, staff interviews, and review of documentation. He/she works with Unit Directors and staff psychologists to facilitate effective program implementation. The Psychologist III provides for professional development of staff psychologists including applied behavior analysis, learning principles, positive behavior support, and contemporary psychological issues to positively impact service delivery. The Psychologist III is responsible for maintaining knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policy and for developing systems and procedures to meet the standards and requirements therein. The Psychologist III directly supervises assigned clerical support staff and develops and maintains assigned budgetary responsibilities relevant to psychological and behavioral services. Some travel is required, and work schedule varies upon request or as needed.

Requirements

• Must be licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state.
• A doctoral degree in Psychology.
• At least three years of experience in administering psychological service in the inpatient psychiatric setting preferred.
• At least three years of experience in the administration of standardized evaluations.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience supervising psychological/behavioral and programming staff preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides professional supervision and consultation to Psychology staff and others, as needed, to ensure effective staff performance and resident support.
• Evaluates psychological/behavioral services and develops plans of improvement as needed to address needs/deficiencies to ensure compliance with relevant laws, standards, and policies as well as to ensure best practice.
• Ensures ongoing training and technical assistance to assigned professional staff and others as needed (e.g., direct contact staff) to facilitate service delivery and professional growth.
• Ensures coordination and integration of psychological/behavioral services with other areas throughout the facility to ensure clear expectations, facilitate best practices, ensure uniformity of procedures, and to support system values.
• Ensures quality and effectiveness of forensic psychological activities and programs and oversees evaluations when indicated.
• Participates in the joint selection and orientation of assigned staff to ensure appropriate screening, hiring process, and effective selection/orientation.
• Performs special assignments at the request of the Clinical Director.
• Maintains current knowledge in relevant professional areas.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree