Mental Health Specialist VI

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

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 nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The 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 VI performs senior-level highly complex psychological/therapeutic work. The MHS VI 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. This position conducts competency to stand trial evaluations under supervision of a licensed psychologist. The MHS VI clinically supervises other MHSs. Works under minimal 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

• Knowledge of psychology and related disciplines.
• Knowledge of treatment techniques and practices.
• Skills in interviewing patients.
• Skills in forensic assessment, including violence risk assessments and competency to stand trial.
• Ability to assist with conducting 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.
• Must be licensed as a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or a person eligible to pursue licensure by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologist as a Licensed Psychologist OR a related specialty certification preferred such as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in psychological/therapeutic work.
• Applicants 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.
• All applicants 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.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate Preferred.

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.
• Performs psychological activities, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred from home unit and/or from other units. In addition, meets with families of patients with other treatment team members to provide information and help with discharge planning. Will also gauge, direct, and implement any results-based activities promoting improvement of care for patients.
• Performs and oversees psychosocial assessments and interview patients. After the assessment, the results will be utilized to construct a recommended treatment 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 utilizing healthcare conferences, educational facility activities, and any other opportunity that meets the necessary criteria.
• Based on educational prerequisite, conduct psychological evaluations, under the supervision of a licensed Psychologist, including evaluations of trial competency (46B) and violence risk (46C) when appropriate, testifies in court as required.
• Conducts individual and group sessions that help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their recovery or efforts to regain competency. All efforts must be documented in the medical record.
• Develops and/or conducts specialized psychoeducational groups to help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their treatment.
• Employee will analyze behavior of psychiatric patients, implement behavior plans by training staff members on the behavior plan, and develop/ implement treatment plans to establish psychiatric stability.
• Interviews referred patients and recommends 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 these plans. Monitors effectiveness and modifies plans as needed. As needed, conducts psychological test administration, scoring, and interpretation.
• Participates in quality assurance and quality enhancement activities related to psychological service provision and to treatment across the hospital. This includes completing chart audits, participating in tracer activities, and reporting on psychological services he/she has provided.
• Provides guidance and supervision to Mental Health Specialists that the vision and mission of our hospital system remains the primary focus of care.
• 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.

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits package includes 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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees