Staff Psychiatrist -State Hospital - Maximum Security Unit (MSU)

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Functional Title: Staff Psychiatrist -State Hospital - Maximum Security Unit (MSU)
Job Title: Psychiatrist III
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Adm AcuteCarePsych Psychiatry
Posting Number: 19615
Closing Date: 11/05/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Salary Range: $20,971.00- $23,120.50
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-34
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 10%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location: Rio Grande State Center
Job Location City: HARLINGEN
Job Location Address: 1401 S RANGERVILLE RD
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 210X,44PX,60W,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 Psychiatrist performs highly advanced psychiatric assessment work and reports directly to the State Hospital Medical Director. Work involves conducting psychiatric activities, monitoring trends, diagnosing, and treating State Hospital patients. Administers quality and appropriate specialized psychiatric treatments, assessments, and procedures as needed. Reviews and analyzes system data to ensure recovery plans are individualized and decisions are made in conjunction with the Recovery Team. Ensures that the recovery plans are implemented as designed by providing consultation or training as needed to direct care staff. Attends weekly/monthly meetings and leads/chairs discussions to inform and create buy-in to necessary changes and follows through on the implementation plans. Participates in committees of the State Hospital Governing Body and performance improvement activities. Participates in or directs, as requested, any other clinically related committee that is formed for the State Hospitals to recommend guidelines and standards of care in response to changes in research literature, regulatory environment, or public health as requested by the State Hospital Medical Director or State Hospitals Central Administration Chief of Medical Services. Plans, assigns, and guides the work of others in the process of the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care. May supervise others depending upon State Hospital structure. Performs other duties relative to the position. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive 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.

Utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to complete psychiatric assessments of individuals and administers psychiatric treatments and medications within the State Hospital policies/procedures as deliberated with and agreed upon. Conducts all required performance improvement reviews with recovery team members as required by The Joint Commission (TJC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and State Hospital System policies. Attends and participates in other meetings and committees as requested. Performs medication reviews and other audits in accordance with policy. Plans, assigns, and guides the work of others in the process of the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care per standards.

Establish physician-patient relationships by direct face-to-face contact or telemedicine. For newly admitted individuals, contact must be established immediately upon admission. Treats each individual with the most effective medication and the most effective dosage. Reviews lab work, modifies recovery plans, and records deliberations and recommendations accurately and timely in the electronic health record.

Develops and implements psychiatric recovery plans documenting how supports and interventions are customized for the individuals’ psychiatric needs as well as their strengths and preferences. Documents on how recovery plans are person centered and least-restrictive interventions based on risk vs. benefit analysis and treatment history, and how psychiatric supports and interventions are integrated with the supports and interventions from other disciplines. Develops and organizes implementation timeframes and provides guidance to the recovery team, and direct care staff while following HHSC and local policies and procedures, TJC standards, CMS conditions of participation, TAC, and other state statutes.

Reads and analyzes medical records, leads discussions in staff meetings, participates in conference calls concerning clinical psychiatric issues, interacts with and makes recommendations to family members, guardians, and Legally Authorized Representatives (LAR) when requested, and obtains timely medication consents.

Ensures collaboration between psychiatry and neurology for dually diagnosed individuals. Provides Neurologist with necessary information and ensures that psychiatry notes reflect this collaboration.

Consults with other psychiatrists, medical staff, psychologists, and others to collaboratively develop psychiatric interventions, identify environmental factors that may impact psychiatric care, and participate in restraint reduction efforts by coordinating medication and behavior therapy. Manages acute psychiatric care including authorizing emergency restraints and writing orders for the emergency use of medication.

Reviews and monitors system data and trends related to the quality of psychiatric care provided at the State Hospital. Addresses issues identified through monitoring of data and presents changes to the recovery plan. Attends meetings and chairs discussions to inform and create buy-in to necessary changes and follows through on hospital performance improvement plans. Participates in desk and onsite audits by reviewing records and applying audit tools.

Maintains open and regular communication with the Medical Director, Superintendent, and other staff to ensure the transfer of needed information for the continuity of services. Participates in various Medical Staff Committees and Sub-committees (Utilization Management, Infection Control, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, etc.) designed to ensure patients are receiving quality care.

Participates in mandatory training per HHSC policies and procedures, HIPAA policies, state and federal rules and regulations, and TJC standards and CMS conditions of participations to provide quality psychiatric services and care to individuals served.

Develops, implements, organizes, and provides leadership in the area of Psychiatric Services following HHSC policies and procedures, state and federal rules and regulations, and TJC standards and CMS conditions of participation in order to provide quality psychiatric services and care to individuals served.

May manage other staff providing regular feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and taking corrective action when needed, depending upon hospital organizational structure.

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 methods and procedures in the field of general medicine and general psychiatry

Knowledge of principles of development, implementation, and documentation of person-centered individualized care and recovery plans

Knowledge of the principles of psychiatric treatment and ability to collaborate with staff.

Knowledge of the state formulary guidelines for maximum doses, and if exceeded, provides detailed documentation of exception, ensuring efficacy, safety, and tolerance.

Knowledge and skills in providing services to people with psychiatric disorders in an in-patient hospital setting.

Knowledge and skills in effectively using an electronic healthcare system and Microsoft Office products.

Skills in the care and treatment of patients

Skills in the use of medical and psychiatric diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment

Skills in conducing psychiatric research when necessary

Ability to assess, diagnoses, and prescribe/supervise treatment to assigned patients while conforming to local policy, Texas Administrative Code, and applicable laws to decrease psychiatric symptoms/disorders.

Ability to direct psychiatric activities.

Ability to examine, diagnose, and treat mental disorders.

Ability to interpret psychological diagnoses and analyses.

Ability to develop policies and procedures.

Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of psychiatric histories and medical records.

Ability to solve medically difficult issues by considering opinions of consultants and/or appropriate literature including accepted guidelines.

Ability to work with the recovery team by facilitating a unified, effective team approach using the expertise of all team members and involving patients in order to assure high quality patient care.

Ability to participate with other psychiatric staff to provide continuous quality improvement and to promote quality care by adhering to the plan of improvement and state initiatives.

Ability to manage “polypharmacy” and to justify and document when the use of multiple psychotropic medications is necessary.

Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.

Ability to work independently using good judgement and advanced time management skills.

Ability to participate in annual training as well as any other required specific training in order to assure up to date skills and knowledge in required areas such as CPR and safe use of restraints.

Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Applicant must have or be able to obtain an unrestricted Texas medical license and be board certified or board eligible (completed residency in Psychiatry) prior to start date.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Applicants must be a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

At least three years’ experience working as a psychiatrist is preferred.

Twelve (12) months’ experience working with people with psychiatric disorders 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 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.

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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.