Rehab Therapy Tech IV - Patient Services

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.

Functional Title: Rehab Therapy Tech IV - Patient Services
Job Title: Rehab Therapy Tech IV
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Recreation Progs
Posting Number: 20776
Closing Date: 09/15/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $3,649.83- $4,594.50
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-A-14
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 15%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location: Waco Center for Youth
Job Location City: WACO
Job Location Address: 3501 N 19TH ST
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 4C0X1,65A,65B,66C,66R,68F,68L,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 facilities, 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 Rehab Therapy Tech IV performs highly complex (senior-level) rehabilitative therapy work. Work involves assisting in the development, implementation, and execution of a planned and assigned program of rehabilitative therapy. Assists with assigning and/or providing guidance to other staff. Assists in training all new rehabilitation staff. Works under general supervision, with moderate 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 be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Attends work on a regular basis and may 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, and performs other duties as assigned.

• Ensures quality rehabilitation programming is provided to patients on a daily basis that will help to promote a successful return to the community through assisting the Director of Rehabilitation (Director) and the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation (Assistant Director) in screening applicants, interviewing, and onboarding qualified Rehabilitation Technicians; facilitates and instructs patients in therapeutic activities, such as interactive games, therapeutic recreation activities, fitness and exercise, swimming skills, sports skills, creative crafts, arts and crafts, and team building activities.

• Provides instruction to patients in a variety of courses related to self-care, independent living, and character building as evidenced by instructing patients on character building including, self-control, ethics, trustworthiness, integrity, fairness, honesty, responsibility, confidence, respect, citizenship, perseverance, and tolerance; teaches patients independent living skills and self-care including, decision making, career planning, finances, maintenance, general health and hygiene, etiquette, and manners; maintains relationships with local colleges to assist in scheduling college visits for clients, as needed; maintains relationships with community resources to assist in scheduling guest speakers that will educate patients; assists the Assistant Director in ensuring all new Rehabilitation Technicians maintain relationships with community resources and colleges, and schedules college tours and guest speakers on a regular basis.

• Provides accurate observation of patient’s behavior and level of participation, reporting and documenting on patients served. Observes patients during scheduled programming and documents level of participation and the patient’s behavior in progress notes.

• Develops and maintains knowledge of the needs of the patients served. Observes patient’s behaviors to assess the needs of the group and identifies what therapeutic activities will meet needs. Implements workshops and groups on topics that will meet the needs of the patients served.

• Assists the Assistant Director in training Rehabilitation Therapy Technicians in all aspects of their job, and provides guidance as needed.

• Operates a state vehicle and transports patients, as assigned. Ensures the correct number of vans are reserved in a timely fashion for all off-campus trips; completes a thorough vehicle check before taking the vans off-campus; verifies all staff and patients are safely seated and their seat belts are buckled before leaving campus; and completes all driving logs according to agency policy.

• Attends meetings and completes special projects and assignments, as directed. Attends weekly department team meetings and participates by voicing any concerns and giving feedback. Attends case formulations, when needed, to learn the rehabilitation needs, likes, and dislikes of all new admissions. Attends overlap in the units when needed to discuss the current issues and needs of the patients. Organizes and implements special projects (i.e. dances, holiday parties, campus-wide celebrations etc.).

• Ensures equipment and supplies are maintained and replaced as needed; all equipment and supplies used by the rehabilitation department are in good working condition by doing weekly checks; obtains approval for all purchases from the department director; verifies all new equipment is inventoried and stored appropriately; and ensures all equipment is checked out and checked in.

• Researches and develops new curriculum and coordinates and obtains approval for planned programming for patients served. Ensures lesson plans are completed and turned in to the director.

• Ensures regular updates are documented to assist in maintaining current treatment planning. Provides feedback to the patient’s treatment team coordinator to assist in completing the recovery plan. Meets with the patient’s treatment team coordinator to identify goals for each patient served.

• Ensures that all assigned therapeutic facilities are kept clean and safe for the patients served; all buildings and sport complex fields are kept safe and clean for patients; maintains communication with plant operations regarding any needs for the buildings or grounds; reserves buildings and sports complexes in a timely fashion for all rehabilitation activities; and ensures a schedule is maintained for the areas that are available for daily use.

• 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 methods and techniques used in providing rehabilitation activities and services, and of mental illness and mental disabilities.

• Knowledge of regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of supervising and overseeing the work of others.

• Skill in utilizing computer hardware and software.

• Skill in the use of equipment, tools, and materials used in therapeutic service activities.

• Ability to use necessary equipment to carry out rehabilitation activities.

• Ability to evaluate a patient’s level of participation in programming.

• Ability to document progress and behavior appropriately.

• Ability to interact effectively with patients, family members, and staff.

• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to instruct and train others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications :

• Must possess a valid Texas driver's license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver's license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy. Must be able to drive state vehicles and golf carts.

• Certified in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or ability to be certified within six months of hire date.

• Certified Rehab Therapy Technician (PTA) or ability to obtain within one year may be required .

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Two years’ experience working with people who have mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Two years’ experience in the development of treatment and support plans for people with mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities is 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 Aide, Medication Aide, and Employee Misconduct, and 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 of 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.

Waco Center for Youth is a psychiatric residential treatment facility that serves teenagers ages 13 through 17 with emotional difficulties and/or behavioral problems. Waco Center for Youth bases its treatment philosophy on the belief that both behavior change and an understanding of self and others are equally important in achieving significant long term success in treatment. The mission of Waco Center for Youth is “to give each youth a chance for change” by providing comprehensive psychiatric residential treatment services to emotionally disturbed adolescents of the state of Texas. The facility is operated by the Health and Human Services Commission and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Facilities.

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 View phone number on aiapply.co. 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.