Staff Physician - State Hospital - MSU

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Harlingen, TX

1d•$17,000 - $25,433•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Physician (Physician III) performs advanced medical and clinical work at Rio Grande State Center, providing general medical evaluation and treatment to patients with psychiatric disorders. The physician works under the general clinical and administrative supervision of the Medical Director or designee, with minimal supervision and substantial latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. Duties include directing medical and infection-control activities, monitoring trends, and recommending improvements. The role also provides supervision to physicians and nurse practitioners in the medical clinic, serves as an infection-control resource and consultant to general medical physicians, and treats state hospital employees injured in the course and scope of their employment. The physician leads and supervises physicians and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), collaborates with APRNs on prescriptive-authority requirements, conducts physical assessments and medical histories, orders and reviews diagnostic studies, monitors treatment responses, and documents care. The position oversees implementation of the hospital infection-control plan, participates in audits and performance improvement, and contributes to plans of correction. The physician also maintains professional competency and required credentialing documentation through continuing medical education and current licensure. The role may require working a specific or rotating schedule, extended shifts, overtime, or a different shift pattern or location to meet hospital needs, including during disaster response or Continuity of Operations activation. Duties, work location, and shift patterns may change as determined by hospital administration. The position is not eligible for telework and may be eligible for additional pay for work performed on maximum-security locations.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college of medicine with a medical doctor degree.
Completion of a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
Three years of experience in clinical or public health work.
Two years of experience working in a psychiatric hospital setting.
Active license as a Doctor from the Texas Medical Board.
Current Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registration certificate.
National Provider Identifier (NPI) and enrollment as a Medicaid and Medicare Part B provider.
Knowledge of APRN scope of practice and collaborative agreements between APRNs and physicians.
Knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of patients served.
Knowledge of public health practices, disease management, and risk analysis.
Skill in patient care and treatment and in using medical diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment.
Computer skills, including use of applicable software.
Skills in developing, describing, and communicating medical or public-health plans and procedures; project management, prioritization, and program evaluation; problem identification, analysis, and resolution; and facilitation, team building, negotiation, conflict resolution, and strategic planning.
Ability to examine, diagnose, and treat physical disorders and interpret laboratory analyses and X-rays.
Ability to direct medical activities, evaluate age-specific patient needs, and coordinate effective treatment with other disciplines.
Ability to interact effectively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds and income levels; foster partnerships and agreements; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; and plan, assign, or supervise the work of others.
Pass required fingerprint criminal-background, pre-employment drug-screen, and registry checks.
Comply with HHSC immunization policy and state-hospital immunization procedures.
Be at least 18 years of age for employment at a state-operated facility.

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise physicians and APRNs in the general medical clinic.
Collaborate with APRNs on prescriptive-authority agreements and applicable Texas practice requirements.
Perform comprehensive physical assessments and obtain medical histories; formulate diagnostic impressions and order appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies.
Monitor patients' responses to treatment, review diagnostic results, assess abnormal findings, and follow up or refer patients as appropriate.
Document patient encounters, assessment findings, treatment rationale, and related issues at a frequency appropriate to the patient's level of care.
Provide care consistent with applicable standards and requirements, including those of The Joint Commission, CMS, the Texas Administrative Code, and state hospital policies and procedures.
Oversee implementation of the hospital infection-control plan, monitor infectious diseases and immunization data for patients and employees, and develop improvement plans in response to outbreaks.
Serve as an infection-control resource and consultant to general medical physicians.
Participate in audits and performance-improvement activities, provide input on standards of care, and assist in developing plans of correction for identified deficiencies.
Provide initial clinical assessment, basic non-invasive care, and stabilization for employees' occupational injuries within the scope of licensure; support employees and visitors awaiting transfer when indicated.
Maintain professional competencies through continuing medical education and provide CME certificates, current licensure, and other documentation for the medical-staff credentialing file.
Attend work regularly and perform other assigned duties, including supporting disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation as required.
Work alternate shifts or locations, extended hours, or overtime when required to meet hospital or agency needs.