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Functional Title: Social Worker III/Social Svcs Specialist
Job Title: Social Worker III
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: MaxSecPsych Psychiatry
Posting Number: 17172
Closing Date: 08/19/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
Salary Range: $5,746.66 - $7,253.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location: Vernon State Hospital
Job Location City: VERNON
Job Location Address: 4730 COLLEGE DR
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 0149,5832,230X,42SX,4C0X1,68X,73A,HM
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 teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science- based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.
The Social Worker III performs and documents highly complex social services work including serving as a liaison between the patient, legally authorized representative, and others to assure ongoing care, treatment, and support through the use of person-centered practices. This position gathers information to assess the individual's support systems and service needs, including participation in interdisciplinary team meetings, as needed. This position may also engage in the assessment of individual’s rights and capacity to make decisions. This position designs and provides individual and group trainings to promote the exercise of rights and patient transition to include curriculum, materials and case specific information. This position assists with the coordination of furloughs, transfers, transitions, and discharges, as needed. This position will focus on complex cases and concentrates on post discharge placement and support. The Social Worker III works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
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.
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.
Interviews and converses with individuals, legally authorized representatives, actively involved persons, and agencies
to create and maintain the individual’s social history through determination of what is important to the individual, gather background information needed to assess the individual’s support systems, and identify the individual’s psychosocial, economic, and physical needs, with updates as appropriate. Interview examples include during admission or prior to transition to a community placement.
Oversees the communication and information exchange between the individual, legally authorized representative, actively involved person and agencies, as needed, and facility or treatment providers to assure ongoing care, treatment and support to include maintaining open communication, providing required notification, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings as requested, obtaining necessary consents and accessing external resources as needed.
Counsels and provides assistance to individuals, legally authorized representatives, and actively involved persons regarding community placement issues, living options discussions, end-of-life planning and rights in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and state and state hospital policies.
May assign and oversee the work, time, and travel of Social Worker I and II positions and social work students to include, interviewing and hiring to fill vacancies, training of new staff and current staff as needed and performing evaluations and counseling, as needed.
Oversees transfers, transitions, furloughs, and community placement discharges by involving the patient, family/significant others (with consent), as well as the committing court, and Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA), for an orderly discharge that includes a referral for continued treatment and services as needed and medication and personal possessions through the use of person-centered practices. Examples include: coordinating and conducting tours of identified discharge options for individuals and families, engagement and communication with state and judicial systems as well as facility or treatment providers, providing information to the local authority to assist in obtaining required documents for discharge planning including certified birth certificates, ISD records and social security cards and coordinating with the receiving facility for individuals transferring within the State Hospital system to include transportation and the transfer of patient information, personal possessions, medication, etc.
Designs and conducts individual and group training to explore and promote exercise of rights, development of decision-making, person centered thinking and self-advocacy skills. Develops and presents curriculum and training materials designed to support patients to a wide array of interested parties, patients and stakeholders.
Participates in and may be responsible for the facilitation of discharge program meetings and internal/external work groups. Actively engaged in the utilization of existing resources as well as in the identification of potential service gaps.
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 human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, developmental and emotional components of physical illness, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, social work standards for case management; facility and community resources, and the principles, methods and theories used to practice as a social worker.
Knowledge of community resources to support the discharge of state hospital patients with high/complex needs.
Knowledge of State Hospital discharge policies and procedures.
Ability to perform all job duties in accordance with the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Code of Conduct, National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and in compliance with state, state hospital policies and procedures.
Ability to be creative and work collaboratively with others on behalf of patients discharging from state hospitals.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally in both individual and group settings.
Skills in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, information and referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation, and advocacy.
Skill and ability to assign and supervise the work of others.
Skill in accountability for assigned property with limited financial responsibilities.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
The Social Worker is required to maintain licensure in accordance with Texas Board of Social Work Examiners.
Initial Screening Criteria:
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). AND
One year of experience working directly with persons with mental, social, or substance use disorders.
OR
Completion of State Hospital internship program required.
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 and Terrell 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
Telework Disclaimer:
This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.
