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Functional Title: Mental Health Specialist III
Job Title: Mental Health Specialist III
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Vernon South Campus
Posting Number: 20297
Closing Date: 09/03/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
Salary Range: $5,370.75 - $6,335.66
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19
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: 230X,43HX,4C0X1,4E0X1,71F,73A,73B,HM,HN,HS,MED,SEI12
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 facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. 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 Mental Health Specialist III performs senior-level highly complex psychological/therapeutic work. The MHS III provides consultation regarding behavioral interventions for patients across the hospital. Work involves performing psychological activities, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred from assigned unit and/or from other units, conducting individual and group sessions that help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their recovery or efforts to regain competency, and developing individual behavior plans to address problematic behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, intrusiveness, etc. This position evaluates and coordinates projects and program alterations to examine evidence-based practices to reduce workplace violence and increase the overall quality patient care in the hospital. 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.
Will 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.
Performs psychological activities, including individual, group, and/or family therapy with patients referred from home unit and/or from other units. In addition, meets with families of patients with other treatment team members to provide information and help with discharge planning. Will also gauge and implement any results-based activities promoting improvement of care for patients.
Employee will perform psychosocial assessments and interview patients. After the assessment, the results will be utilized to construct a recommended treatment that promotes psychiatric stability.
Evaluates and coordinates projects and program alterations to examine evidence-based practices to reduce workplace violence and increase the quality of the environmental setting of the hospital.
Coordinates continuing educational opportunities for hospital staff and identifying possibilities for staff to facilitate continuing education for emerging practices.
Conducts individual and group sessions that help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their recovery or efforts to regain competency. All efforts must be documented in the medical record.
Develops and/or conducts specialized psychoeducational groups to help patients gain knowledge and develop skills to aid in their treatment.
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 Milieu Management System (IMMS).
Interviews referred patients and makes recommendations to the patient's treatment team the treatment(s) which will help the patient achieve stability, achieve his/her goals, and maintain recovery after discharge from the hospital.
Develops individual behavior plans to address problematic behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, intrusiveness, etc. Works with staff to successfully implement these plans. Monitors effectiveness and modifies plans as needed. As needed, conducts psychological test administration, scoring, and interpretation.
Develops individualized Person-Centered Treatment Plans and prepares Treatment team reports as assigned on a rotating basis incorporating the patient's goals, noting barriers to achieving these goals, and including appropriate objectives, modifications, and interventions.
Participates in quality assurance and quality enhancement activities related to psychological service provision and to treatment across the hospital. This includes completing chart audits, participating in tracer activities, and reporting on psychological services he/she has provided.
Provides guidance and oversight to psychology students or other staff as needed to ensure that the vision and mission of our hospital system remains the primary focus of care.
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.
Skill in interviewing.
Ability to conduct diagnostic interviews.
Ability to conduct individual, group, and family psychotherapy.
Ability to develop plans for implementing and monitoring rehabilitation activities in skill acquisition and behavior management.
Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
Ability to implement individual and group behavior therapy programs, and appropriate use of milieu structures.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
None
Initial Screening Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work.
Masters preferred.
Two years of experience in psychological/therapeutic work preferred.
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.
