Forensic Evaluator - State Hospital - Maximum Security Unit (MSU)

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Functional Title: Forensic Evaluator - State Hospital - Maximum Security Unit (MSU)
Job Title: Psychologist III-Forensic Eval
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Adm AcuteCarePsych Psychology
Posting Number: 19634
Closing Date: 11/04/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Salary Range: $7,015.16- $11,864.50
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-27
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: 230X,42PX,71F,73B

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 Psychologist III (Forensic Evaluator) performs advanced and/or managerial (senior-level) psychological work under the direction of the State Hospital Medical Director. The Forensic Evaluator is responsible for conducting the 46B and Chapter 55 competency evaluations, as well as violence risk assessments under 46C. Responsibilities include developing, supporting, coordinating forensic psychological activities and programs, and conducting forensic psychological assessments and psycho-legal evaluations of patients’ competency to stand trial. Oversees forensic programs in collaboration with other relevant disciplines including but not limited to competency restoration, trial competency evaluation, and evaluation and treatment of individuals acquitted as not guilty by reason of insanity. Supervises the work of others and graduate psychology trainees as requested. 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 postion may also be eligible to earn additonal 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.

Provides hospital administration and recovery teams with consultation, training, and guidance on the appropriate application of forensic evaluations on competency restoration commitments and safe community discharge planning. Provides additional training on the implementations and communicating with courts in a manner that facilitates discharge to the community.

Designs, conducts, and coordinates forensic activities and programs. Conducts evaluations of psychological patients on 46B/46C/Chapter 55 commitments in accordance with the HHSC State Hospital Forensic Operatic Procedure and utilizes evidence-based and standardized instruments to ensure accurate assessments. Coordinates with interdisciplinary teams, including medical, legal, and administrative staff, to develop comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation plans. Provides expert consultation and testimony as needed in legal proceedings. Maintains thorough documentation and compliance with regulatory standards while contributing to ongoing program development, training, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance forensic services.

Oversees forensic programs in collaboration with other relevant disciplines competency restoration, trial competency evaluation, and evaluation and treatment of individuals acquitted as not guilty by reason of insanity. Develops and implements procedures to ensure that forensic evaluations are completed, documented, and communicated to the relevant courts or other entities in accordance with applicable statutes, standards, and policies. Evaluates and ensures the professional competency of forensic evaluators through coaching and training as needed. Collaborates with other disciplines to develop forensic policies and procedures.

Provides specialized forensic psychological services tailored to legal and clinical settings, which encompass a range of assessments and interventions designed to assess and manage mental health and behavioral concerns. Conducts psychological evaluations to determine the presence of mental disorders, performing suicide risk assessments to identify individuals at risk of self-harm, and administers COPSD (Co-occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders) assessments to evaluate the interplay of mental health and substance use disorders. Responsible for conducting forensic trial competency evaluations to assess an individual’s mental fitness for court proceedings, performing violence risk assessments to gauge the potential for harm to others, and providing psychotherapy in various formats, such as individual, group, or family therapy. Offers debriefing services following incidents involving restraint or seclusion, aimed at addressing the psychological impacts and promoting healing and recovery in affected individuals.

Provides patients with recovery-focused care, including an emphasis on reducing use of restraints when possible. Assists with and participates in performance improvement efforts toward implementation of a recovery/trauma-informed care (TIC) treatment/recovery planning environment. Applies recovery/TIC principles to all interactions with other staff and treatment team members and supports the team in the ongoing implementation of best practices related to recovery. Specifically supports peer support team and peer support concepts.

Provides consultation and guidance on the appropriate application of forensic-educational activities based on existing best practices and current peer-reviewed research. Provides effective expert testimony to courts regarding forensic psychological evaluations and actively supports hospital and agency safety (including patient safety), risk management, and infection control programs.

Provides case outreach, training, education, and expert consultation to multidisciplinary teams, relevant courts, and community stakeholders on forensic services. This is achieved through comprehensive continuing education programs, tailored outreach initiatives, and collaborative efforts designed to enhance awareness, improve inter-agency coordination, and promote best practices in forensic care and intervention.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned including 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 forensic psychological assessment and treatment of the seriously mentally ill forensic populations

Knowledge of psychotherapy and CBT, DBT, behavior therapy, and other empirically-supported psychotherapeutic modalities

Skills in the use of psychological instruments to evaluate personality, neurocognition, adaptive functioning, suicide risk, and malingering (i.e. MMPI, HCR-20, VRAG, TOMM, MFAST, and SIRS)

Ability to conduct forensic and psychological assessments and write clear, concise reports

Ability to provide expert testimony to courts regarding forensic and psychological assessments

Ability to provide direct services in accordance with accepted professional standards

Ability to function as a member of the psychology management team

Ability to provide individual and family education regarding serious mental illness

Ability to complete treatment documentation in electronic medical record using computer

Ability to communicate assessment data and treatment/discharge implications to team members, courts, and patients where appropriate

Ability to educate staff in correct implementation of individual and group therapy programs as well as Individualized Intervention programs as needed

Ability to operate a computer and applicable software

Ability to train and supervise the work of others

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a doctoral degree in psychology

One year of supervised experience by a licensed psychologist in the field of psychological services; the year of supervised experience may be interpreted as an academic year of full-time supervised internship in an approved clinical program.

One year of experience conducting both forensic evaluations and standard psychological assessments and writing reports with forensic populations in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

One year of experience conducting individual and group psychotherapy with forensic populations in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

Preferred: Bilingual in English and Spanish

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.