Mental Health Specialist III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Rusk, TX

2d•$4,835 - $6,336•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 Mental Health Specialist III performs senior-level highly complex psychological/therapeutic work. The MHS III provides consultation regarding behavioral interventions for patients across the hospital. Work involves performing psychological activities, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred from assigned unit and/or from other units, conducting individual and group sessions that help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their recovery or efforts to regain competency, and developing individual behavior plans to address problematic behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, intrusiveness, etc. This position evaluates and coordinates projects and program alterations to examine evidence-based practices to reduce workplace violence and increase the overall quality patient care in the hospital. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 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.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work.
Knowledge of psychology and related disciplines and of 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 appropriate use of milieu structures.
Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.
Must bring I-9 documentation on the first day of work.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Two years of experience in psychological/therapeutic work preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs psychological activities, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred from home unit and/or from other units.
Meets with families of patients with other treatment team members to provide information and help with discharge planning.
Gauges and implements any results-based activities promoting improvement of care for patients.
Performs psychosocial assessments and interviews patients.
Constructs recommended treatment based on assessment results that promotes psychiatric stability.
Evaluates and coordinates projects and program alterations to examine evidence-based practices to reduce workplace violence and increase the quality of the environmental setting of the hospital.
Coordinates continuing educational opportunities for hospital staff and identifying possibilities for staff to facilitate continuing education for emerging practices.
Conducts individual and group sessions that help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their recovery or efforts to regain competency.
Develops and/or conducts specialized psychoeducational groups to help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their treatment.
Analyzes behavior of psychiatric patients, implements behavior plans by training staff members on the behavior plan, and develops/ implements treatment plans to establish psychiatric stability.
Uses the state hospital Individualized Milieu Management System (IMMS).
Interviews referred patients and makes recommendations to the patient's treatment team the treatment(s) which will help the patient achieve stability, achieve his/her goals, and maintain recovery after discharge from the hospital.
Develops individual behavior plans to address problematic behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, intrusiveness, etc.
Works with staff to successfully implement behavior plans.
Monitors effectiveness and modifies behavior plans as needed.
Conducts psychological test administration, scoring, and interpretation as needed.
Develops individualized Person-Centered Treatment Plans and prepares Treatment team reports as assigned on a rotating basis incorporating the patient's goals, noting barriers to achieving these goals, and including appropriate objectives, modifications, and interventions.
Participates in quality assurance and quality enhancement activities related to psychological service provision and to treatment across the hospital.
Completes chart audits, participates in tracer activities, and reports on psychological services he/she has provided.
Provides guidance and oversight to psychology students or other staff as needed to ensure that the vision and mission of our hospital system remains the primary focus of care.
Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
May require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location for disaster response or COOP activation.