Program Director

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.

This position performs complex (journey level) managerial work administering daily operations and activities of a hospital clinical program and interventions. In coordination with clinical disciplines, develops a program to provide effective interventions such that length of stay is the minimum necessary for patients to meet discharge criteria.

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 (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.

Supervises the unit clinical programming and provide a psychiatric rehabilitation program that reduces length of stay necessary to meet discharge criteria. Ensures clinical interventions are provided to meet individual needs of patients as well as developing interventions that meet common needs of the patient population. Develops programs that are holistic, recovery-oriented, and appeal to patients to ensure patient participation. Ensures recovery plans and active treatment meet regulatory standards. Administratively supervises clinical staff to ensure program coverage, completion of tasks to include delivery of recovery plan interventions and documentation of tasks and timeliness; works with discipline supervisors to ensure quality of care excellence.

Plans, organizes, and directs daily administrative functioning of the unit to ensure efficient operation. Ensure the efficient flow of patient movement to allow for availability of beds or admitting and/or receiving unit(s). Completes required reports/manuals/other related documentation accurately according to hospital policies within designated time frames and with evidence of consideration for the units’ population/staff.

Hires/terminates/participates in resolution of employee complaints as they flow through the appropriate chain of command. Ensure that documents to hire/terminate employment are completed in a timely manner to ensure

adequate coverage. Ensures all complaints within chain of command are solved within the established timeframes for the department. Quality issues are referred to discipline unit administrators and/or discipline directors.

Promotes program excellence through evidence-based practices, benchmarking, and creativity. Ensures compliance with standards, hospital policies, plan of correction, and the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement plan for areas under their supervision. Investigates issues of concern and participates in resolution, writes plans of correction.

Ensures a therapeutic, safe, and well-supplied environment. Maintains a needs list for furniture, clinical activities, testing materials, and other equipment and supplies. Evaluates budget requests, monitors budget expenditures, and adjusts as necessary. Trouble-shoots chronic issues to ensure that the patient environment is homelike, clean, supports infection prevention, and passes regulatory surveys. Ensures program and unit staff are familiar with location specific aspects of emergency management plan including fire exits, active shooter and tornado shelter-in-place locations, and emergency supplies.

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 local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas and of the principles and practices of public administration and management.

Knowledge of Medicare and The Joint Commission (TJC) regulatory standards.

Knowledge of current issues in forensic mental health law and programming.

Knowledge of Code of Criminal procedure and mental health commitment procedures/processes.

Supervisory experience.

Skill in communicating both in writing and orally.

Ability to manage program activities.

Ability to establish goals and objectives.

Ability to devise solutions to administrative problems.

Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures.

Ability to prepare concise reports; and to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

Ability to prioritize and manage tasks independently.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in working in mental health service setting.

Minimum two (2) years’ experience supervising others.

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 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. Vaccines may be provided. 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