Director of Psychology

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Wichita Falls, TX

1d•$10,761 - $14,356•Hybrid

About The Position

The Psychologist IV (Director of Psychology) performs highly advanced and/or managerial psychological work under the direction of the State Hospital Medical Director. The role provides consultation, training, and guidance to hospital administration; oversees psychological and behavioral health programs and services; and develops, implements, and revises policies and procedures to ensure evaluations, treatment interventions, and clinical documentation are accurate, timely, and compliant with applicable laws, rules, standards, and best practices. The Director coordinates psychological and behavioral health services with other facility programs to support continuity of care and consistent procedures. Care is recovery-focused and emphasizes trauma-informed principles, patient engagement, and reducing restrictive interventions when clinically appropriate. The position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. The position is located at Wichita Falls State Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas, and is eligible for telework subject to state and agency policies, supervisor discretion, and business needs. Travel may be up to 10%. Work-hour flexibility may be required, including overtime or extended hours, and the position may be asked to work a specific or rotating shift. Participation in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities may require an alternate shift or location. Applicants must maintain a current, valid psychologist license issued by Texas or a reciprocity state. Preferred experience includes three years administering psychological services in an inpatient psychiatric setting and two years supervising psychological, behavioral, or programming staff. The posting also identifies applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan experience as preferred. Applicants must pass required criminal background, drug-screen, and registry checks; state hospital immunization requirements apply.

Requirements

Must have and maintain a valid, current license as a Psychologist issued by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state.
At least three years of experience administering standardized evaluations.
Knowledge and experience administering psychological services to people with psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.
Knowledge of the etiology and characteristics of psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.
Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policies.
Knowledge and skills in administering standardized evaluations.
Knowledge and skills in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
Knowledge of psychotropic medications and systems for tracking treatment effectiveness.
Ability to train staff in programming and related psychological or behavioral areas.
Ability to professionally supervise psychological, behavioral, and programming staff.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and make varied decisions within broad guidelines and parameters.
Advanced writing skills for technical reports, grants, research proposals, and other relevant documents.
Leadership skills in motivating staff and effectively implementing changes.
Knowledge and skills in using personal computers and relevant software.
Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and applicable registry checks.
Must comply with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations.
Must be at least 18 years of age for employment at a state-operated facility.
Applicants who are males between 18 and 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

Nice To Haves

At least three years of experience administering psychological services in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
At least two years of experience supervising psychological, behavioral, and programming staff.
Experience with applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation.

Responsibilities

Provide consultation, training, and guidance to hospital administration, recovery teams, and interdisciplinary staff on psychological evaluations, recovery-focused treatment planning, and safe discharge practices.
Review treatment documentation for compliance with policies, procedures, standards of care, quality-service expectations, and regulations.
Support staff in using evidence-based approaches to assessment, treatment, and documentation, and promote communication and coordination across clinical programs.
Design, conduct, and coordinate psychological and behavioral health programs and activities in accordance with agency policies, professional standards, and best practices.
Conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations using standardized, evidence-based instruments to assess mental health needs, suicide risk, and co-occurring psychiatric and substance use conditions.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop integrated treatment and rehabilitation plans.
Oversee psychological programs and services in collaboration with medical, nursing, social work, and administrative disciplines to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across the facility.
Develop, implement, and revise policies and procedures for accurate, timely, and compliant evaluations, treatment interventions, and clinical documentation.
Provide professional supervision, consultation, and clinical leadership to psychology staff and other assigned personnel.
Evaluate staff performance, identify training needs, and provide coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance to support staff development and high standards of care.
Evaluate and review psychological and behavioral health services; monitor program effectiveness, documentation, trends, and outcomes; and develop improvement plans and recommend corrective actions or enhancements.
Coordinate and integrate psychological and behavioral health services with other facility programs to support continuity of care, consistent procedures, and system-wide values.
Participate in performance-improvement initiatives, quality-assurance activities, and collaborative planning to strengthen service delivery and patient outcomes.
Apply recovery-focused and trauma-informed principles in interactions with patients, staff, and treatment teams; promote patient engagement, peer-support concepts, and reduction of restrictive interventions when clinically appropriate.
Participate in staff selection, orientation, and onboarding.
Perform special projects or assignments as requested by leadership and maintain current knowledge of relevant professional standards, emerging practices, and developments.
Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities as assigned, which may require an alternate shift pattern or location.
Attend work regularly and perform other duties as assigned.