Staff Physician III @ Abilene State Supported Living Center

The Staff Physician at the State Supported Living Center (SSLC) performs highly advanced medical work, ensures and oversees the delivery of high quality, integrated medical services to individuals with intellectual disabilities served by HHSC State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs).   Diagnoses and treats individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who also have complex medical, psychiatric and / or behavioral health needs.  Provides and monitors medical services for assigned caseload. Develops health care plans with measurable goals, objectives and interventions and oversees and monitors their implementation.  Participates in treatment team process, advocates for the medical needs of individuals served, and collaborates with the individuals families, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), Physician Assistant(s) and with consultants and community medical providers in other medical specialty areas.  Provides direction and guidance to the treatment team to solve complex medical issues impacting individuals health and wellbeing.  Completes required reports and medical documentation.  Identifies and communicates trends or issues and recommends solutions.  Provides treatment to HHSC employees injured in course and scope of employment. Participates with other members of the medical services department in initiatives to obtain full compliance with the terms of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement.   Shares on-call duty with other qualified medical staff. Works under the limited supervision of the Medical Director of the SSLC and with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs) :

• May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.]
• Delivers, and monitors the delivery by others of, high quality medical services to individuals with intellectual disabilities served by SSLCs in accordance with current accepted medical practices.  Diagnoses and treats individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who also have complex medical, psychiatric and / or behavioral health needs. Provides direction and guidance to the treatment team in medical issues and ensures health care plans are properly implemented. Monitors the health care trends of individuals and updates treatment strategies and plans as indicated.  Ensures medical treatment is properly integrated.
• Oversees and monitors the long-term health status of individuals. Provides chronic care to individuals, which includes a quarterly assessment for individuals with identified chronic health care diagnosis, a review of appropriate treatment specific to the disease process and update or change of medical treatment as warranted and monitoring of the chronic condition. Writes prescriptions and performs medication reviews, within the scope of his / her licensing credentials and training expertise. Reports any significant trends or issues which occur to the supervisor and provides suggestions for action based upon their expertise. Performs or refers out specialized medical treatments and procedures.  Coordinates with specialty clinics and oversees the treatment provided, ensuring integration.
• Oversees and ensures the daily health and wellbeing of individuals.  Provides acute care to individuals, including daily assessment for acute health problems or injury in the clinic and / or infirmary and oversees the provision of medical services by other staff such as APRNs, PAs, RNs, and LVNs.   Performs daily routine sick call clinics for assigned units to include evaluation of illness, injury, and abuse / neglect.  Provides direction to nurses providing treatments during sick call as necessary.  Performs required treatment and prescribes medication when indicated.
• Participates in interdisciplinary planning conferences and personal support team meetings for individuals that reside at the State Supported Living Center and provides medical information to parents / guardians as appropriate.  Provides medical diagnosis and the review of the treatment plan at the Individual Service Plan (ISP). Evaluates the efficacy and progress of a patient's treatment plan and makes changes as indicated. Provides direction and guidance to the treatment team to solve complex medical issues impacting individuals health and wellbeing.
• Develops accurate and timely documentation, which includes annual summaries and pre-procedural histories and physicals, documentation of specialty medical consultation, physical and chemical restrains and all acute and chronic patient care.  Prepares annual medical reports for the residents with complete assessment and yearly objectives and laboratory analysis. Monitors medical trends for individual patients and for the SSLC as a whole and provides leadership to correct deficiencies.
• Refers and consults with the admitting physician at the local hospital when necessary.  Reviews documentation for individuals returning from the hospital to ensure continuity of care.  Follows up on any treatment or medication changes made while at the hospital.
• Works collaboratively with other members of the medical services department to obtain full compliance with the terms of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement. Assists in identifying trends and issues. Provides input into improvement plans for SSLC medical services, including improvements to policy and procedures, new forms of treatment and the need for new / advanced equipment.
• Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment when needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) :

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications :

Initial Screening Criteria :

Additional Information :

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse / Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals / Entities (LEIE).

Males between the ages of 18 - 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and / or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans :

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditors Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at  Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions .

ADA Accommodations :

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS 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.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility :

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 Form

Nearest Major Market :   Abilene