Clinical Safety Officer

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•San Antonio, TX

12d•$4,150 - $5,372•Onsite

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. 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. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The Safety Officer I (Clinical Safety Officer) performs routine (journey-level) directives and provides assistance, as it relates to improving patient and staff safety and interaction. This position will take direction from the State Hospital leadership with moderate supervision and limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment. This position will be heavily involved in the day-to-day training of front-line staff in verbal de-escalation practices. This position will also train other patient care staff including Social Services, Psychology and Food Service to incorporate verbal de-escalation training into their daily functioning. Work is performed in accordance with state laws, Texas Administrative Code, and State Hospital (SH) policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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 be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends. This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Requirements

Ability to communicate and relay verbal de-escalation training techniques to staff.
Ability to create rich learning environments that encourage teamwork and facilitate staff cohesion.
Ability to use Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel programs.
Knowledge of hospital policies and procedures.
Ability to train multi-disciplinary teams in an efficient manner.
Ability to communicate in both written and verbal form in a professional manner.
Ability to communicate with staff, public and other entities, representing the hospital in a professional manner.
Ability to market TSH verbal de-escalation techniques to other state hospitals within HSCS.
Knowledge of state and federal laws, such as reporting statutes as it relates to the assigned special programs.
Skill in administering CPR.
Skill in leading and training staff.
At least 24 months of psychiatric patient care required.
At least 24 months of De-escalation training or experience.

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.
Facilitates and supports comprehensive employee safety training programs, ensuring all staff are well-versed in essential safety protocols and procedures. Additionally, provides in-depth verbal de-escalation training tailored for front-line and patient care staff to effectively manage and diffuse potentially volatile situations, enhancing the overall safety and well-being of both employees and patients.
Collaborates continuously with the facility Director of Programs to continuously develop and refine verbal de-escalation techniques and procedures. Regularly assesses and evaluates existing safety regulations and standards, recommending modifications to improve their effectiveness and ensure full compliance with current guidelines and best practices.
Introduces verbal de-escalation training as a key component of all New Employee Orientation (NEO) classes, ensuring that new staff members are equipped with essential conflict management and resolution skills from the start. This foundational training helps new employees handle challenging situations effectively and safely. Additionally, maintains, or assists in maintaining, a comprehensive library of technical materials related to safety. This library serves as a valuable resource for ongoing staff education, providing up-to-date information and best practices that support a safe and well-informed work environment.
Actively tracks and monitors all staff training sessions to ensure that the principles and techniques covered are continuously practiced and reinforced in daily interactions between staff and patients at TSH. This involves regular observations and assessments to confirm that staff members are effectively applying their training in real-world scenarios. Additionally, maintains a detailed log of all incidents and prepares comprehensive incident reports. These reports are used to analyze patterns, identify areas for improvement, and enhance overall safety practices within the facility.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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.