Mental Health Specialist II

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.

Brief Job Description:

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 each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Mental Health Specialist II 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.

Shift statement (use as needed): This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

MSP statement (use as needed): This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

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.

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 Child Adolescent 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 and Abilities (KSAs):

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.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening 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

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 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. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

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 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.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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 Auditor’s 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