: Mental Health Specialist III

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Wichita Falls, TX

12d•$5,371 - $6,336•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Specialist III performs senior-level, highly complex psychological and therapeutic work at Wichita Falls State Hospital. The role provides consultation on behavioral interventions for patients across the hospital and performs individual, group, and/or family therapy. It conducts sessions to support patients’ recovery or efforts to regain competency, develops behavior plans for challenging behaviors, and evaluates projects and program changes involving evidence-based practices to reduce workplace violence and improve patient care. The position works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. The specialist performs psychosocial assessments and patient interviews, recommends treatment to promote psychiatric stability, and works with treatment teams and families on care and discharge planning. The role also supports staff education, develops psychoeducational groups and person-centered treatment plans, trains staff on behavior plans, monitors and revises interventions, and participates in quality assurance activities. It may provide guidance to psychology students or other staff. Other duties may include supporting disaster response or Continuity of Operations activation, potentially at an alternate location or on an alternate shift. The position is full-time and based at Wichita Falls State Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas. It is not eligible for telework. Travel may be up to 10%. The listed schedule is day shift, though rotating schedules, extended shifts, overtime, and flexibility in work hours may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or social work.
Knowledge of psychology and related disciplines, treatment techniques, and practices.
Skill in interviewing.
Ability to conduct 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.
Ability to implement individual and group behavior therapy programs and appropriately use milieu structures.
Must be at least 18 years of age for employment at a state-operated facility.
Must pass required fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital immunization procedures is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Two years of experience in psychological or therapeutic work.

Responsibilities

Provide consultation regarding behavioral interventions for patients across the hospital.
Perform individual, group, and/or family therapy for patients referred from the assigned unit or other units.
Meet with patients’ families alongside treatment team members to provide information and assist with discharge planning.
Conduct psychosocial assessments and interview patients; use assessment results to recommend treatment that promotes psychiatric stability.
Evaluate and coordinate projects and program alterations examining evidence-based practices to reduce workplace violence and improve patient care and the hospital environment.
Coordinate continuing education opportunities for hospital staff and identify opportunities for staff to facilitate education on emerging practices.
Conduct individual and group sessions to help patients gain knowledge and skills for recovery or regaining competency, and document efforts in the medical record.
Develop or conduct specialized psychoeducational groups supporting patients’ treatment.
Analyze psychiatric patients’ behavior; develop and implement treatment and behavior plans; train staff to use behavior plans; and monitor and modify plans as needed.
Interview referred patients and recommend treatments to the treatment team to support stability, patient goals, and recovery after discharge.
Develop individualized Person-Centered Treatment Plans and prepare assigned treatment team reports that address patient goals, barriers, objectives, modifications, and interventions.
Administer, score, and interpret psychological tests as needed.
Participate in quality assurance and quality enhancement activities, including chart audits, tracer activities, and reporting on psychological services provided.
Provide guidance and oversight to psychology students or other staff as needed.
Attend work regularly and work assigned, rotating, extended, or overtime shifts as required.
Support agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities as assigned, potentially at an alternate shift or location.
Perform other duties as assigned.