Mental Health Specialist II (EEP 8a-5p) Job at Health & Human Services Comm
Are you ready to be professionally challenged? Are you looking to be part of a dynamic team of engaged and committed professionals? Then the Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS) may be just the place for you! The State Hospital System, under the HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals located throughout the state and one youth residential psychiatric center in Waco. The HSCS is a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospitals provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and evidence-based. Whether in a direct-care or support role, your contribution will make a difference in the life of a Texan. Apply now to join our team.
The Mental Health Specialist II (EEP 8a-5p) performs advanced therapeutic work consisting of providing treatment and competency restoration to persons with mental illness. Provides individual therapy, group therapy, psychological assessments, testing, and written psychological reports. Will facilitate group and individual competency restoration work and gather data for Trial Competency Exam. Documenting in the electronic record according to policy. The employee will work closely with treatment teams to develop effective treatment interventions for inclusion in the Person-Centered Recovery Plan. Employee is expected to analyze behavior, develop, train staff to, and monitor implementation and effectiveness of specialized behavior plans. The employee will use the state hospital Individualized Milieu Management System (IMMS) including goal setting, reinforcement, and data interpretation. Will be required to conduct training sessions with hospital employees. Participation and completion of new employee program orientation classes is also required. Follows ethical guidelines/ practices, unit rules, hospital policies, and expectations outlined by external agencies. The mental health specialist II will administratively report to the program director and clinically to a licensed psychologist. Supervision of the employee will consist of moderate level supervision with substantial latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Will be asked to serve on his or her program leadership team committees. Expected to understand that work assignments, location of work, and schedule are subjective to changes as needed by the administration of the hospital. Expected to follow with the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
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.
The Mental Health Specialist II (EEP 8a-5p) performs advanced therapeutic work consisting of providing treatment and competency restoration to persons with mental illness. Provides individual therapy, group therapy, psychological assessments, testing, and written psychological reports. Will facilitate group and individual competency restoration work and gather data for Trial Competency Exam. Documenting in the electronic record according to policy. The employee will work closely with treatment teams to develop effective treatment interventions for inclusion in the Person-Centered Recovery Plan. Employee is expected to analyze behavior, develop, train staff to, and monitor implementation and effectiveness of specialized behavior plans. The employee will use the state hospital Individualized Milieu Management System (IMMS) including goal setting, reinforcement, and data interpretation. Will be required to conduct training sessions with hospital employees. Participation and completion of new employee program orientation classes is also required. Follows ethical guidelines/ practices, unit rules, hospital policies, and expectations outlined by external agencies. The mental health specialist II will administratively report to the program director and clinically to a licensed psychologist. Supervision of the employee will consist of moderate level supervision with substantial latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Will be asked to serve on his or her program leadership team committees. Expected to understand that work assignments, location of work, and schedule are subjective to changes as needed by the administration of the hospital. Expected to follow with the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
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.
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required 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.
Employee will perform psychological assessments/ testing protocols as assigned in order to assist in recovery planning and outcome measures. Includes but not limited to psychological assessments, diagnostic interviews, psychometric testing interpretation, COPSD assessments, aggression typology assessments/ reviews, eclectic views of counseling techniques, competency training, and other clinical referrals.
Employee will perform psychosocial assessments. Employee will interview patients and recommend treatment that promotes psychiatric stability.
Works as a team member with treatment team on the Geriatric Psychiatric Program. Employee will help team teach new employee orientation and help with committees that leadership assigns them to.
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. The employee will use the state hospital Individualized Mileu Management System (IMMS).
Conducts individual counseling and group counseling on a weekly basis. Also, documents professional weekly progress notes and inputs those notes into the electronic health care record.
Employee will de-escalate patients utilizing crisis intervention skills.
Attends assigned committee meetings.
Employee will follow ethical guidelines/ practices, unit rules, hospital policies, and expectations outlined by external agencies.
CPR and TIPS (Approved restraints).
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.
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required 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.
Employee will perform psychological assessments/ testing protocols as assigned in order to assist in recovery planning and outcome measures. Includes but not limited to psychological assessments, diagnostic interviews, psychometric testing interpretation, COPSD assessments, aggression typology assessments/ reviews, eclectic views of counseling techniques, competency training, and other clinical referrals.
Employee will perform psychosocial assessments. Employee will interview patients and recommend treatment that promotes psychiatric stability.
Works as a team member with treatment team on the Geriatric Psychiatric Program. Employee will help team teach new employee orientation and help with committees that leadership assigns them to.
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. The employee will use the state hospital Individualized Mileu Management System (IMMS).
Conducts individual counseling and group counseling on a weekly basis. Also, documents professional weekly progress notes and inputs those notes into the electronic health care record.
Employee will de-escalate patients utilizing crisis intervention skills.
Attends assigned committee meetings.
Employee will follow ethical guidelines/ practices, unit rules, hospital policies, and expectations outlined by external agencies.
CPR and TIPS (Approved restraints).
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.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of psychology and related disciplines and of treatment techniques and practices.
Knowledge of mental illness, diagnosis, and treatment.
Knowledge of psychology’s role in assessing and treating persons with severe mental illness.
Skill in completing psychological/ therapeutic work and psychometric testing, scoring, testing protocols, and interpreting testing protocol data.
Skill in counseling techniques and clinical interviews.
Skill in provision of individual and group counseling services.
Ability to identify behavioral issues.
Ability to learn behavioral. interventions such as producing individualized behavior plans.
Ability to maintain professional patient records that adhere to Joint Commission and Medicare standards.
Ability to work with patients in a respectful and therapeutic manner.
Ability to work with a team of mental health professionals in creating an environment that is conducive to mental wellness.
Ability to work with a team of mental health professionals in effectuating evidenced base interventions that promote healing and ultimately, discharge.
Knowledge of psychology and related disciplines and of treatment techniques and practices.
Knowledge of mental illness, diagnosis, and treatment.
Knowledge of psychology’s role in assessing and treating persons with severe mental illness.
Skill in completing psychological/ therapeutic work and psychometric testing, scoring, testing protocols, and interpreting testing protocol data.
Skill in counseling techniques and clinical interviews.
Skill in provision of individual and group counseling services.
Ability to identify behavioral issues.
Ability to learn behavioral. interventions such as producing individualized behavior plans.
Ability to maintain professional patient records that adhere to Joint Commission and Medicare standards.
Ability to work with patients in a respectful and therapeutic manner.
Ability to work with a team of mental health professionals in creating an environment that is conducive to mental wellness.
Ability to work with a team of mental health professionals in effectuating evidenced base interventions that promote healing and ultimately, discharge.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Prefer license in a specialty area such as a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
Prefer license in a specialty area such as a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
Initial Selection Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field
Experience in psychological/therapeutic work.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field
Experience in psychological/therapeutic work.
Additional Information:
Salary Note: The salary offered will follow HHS HR Policy starting salary guidelines which are typically made at or near the minimum of the salary range. For internal applicants, there can be limitations in consideration of applicant’s current classification and salary and is dependent upon available budget. Note: For program areas that have an approved market rate, the starting salary is considered the minimum of the market rate.
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, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. 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.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All of these diseases are vaccine-preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
All new hire candidates will be required to receive COVID-19 medical screening (nasal test) as part of the due diligence process.
COVID-19 Precaution(s):
Personal protective equipment required and provided
Temperature screenings
Social distancing guidelines in place
Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place
Vaccines available for employees
If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.
Salary Note: The salary offered will follow HHS HR Policy starting salary guidelines which are typically made at or near the minimum of the salary range. For internal applicants, there can be limitations in consideration of applicant’s current classification and salary and is dependent upon available budget. Note: For program areas that have an approved market rate, the starting salary is considered the minimum of the market rate.
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, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. 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.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All of these diseases are vaccine-preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
All new hire candidates will be required to receive COVID-19 medical screening (nasal test) as part of the due diligence process.
COVID-19 Precaution(s):
Personal protective equipment required and provided
Temperature screenings
Social distancing guidelines in place
Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place
Vaccines available for employees
If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.
MOS Code:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 67D, 230X, 4EHX, 68W. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 67D, 230X, 4EHX, 68W. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
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