Staff Psychiatrist

Functional Title: Staff Psychiatrist Job Title: Psychiatrist III Agency: Health & Human Services Commission Department: Psych Security Direct Care Posting Number: 16640 Closing Date: 08/05/2026 Salary Range: $20,971.00 - $23,120.50 per month Shift: Day Travel: Up to 5% Employment Type: Regular full time Location: 721 Thompson Dr, Kerrville, TX 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? 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 nine psychiatric hospitals, one 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. Essential Job Functions 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, CMS, Texas Administrative Code, 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 multi‑disciplinary approach to patient care per standards. Establishes physician‑patient relationship 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. Reads and analyzes medical records, leads discussions in staff meetings, participates in conference calls concerning clinical psychiatric issues, and interacts with and makes recommendations to family members, guardians, and LARs when requested, and obtains timely medication consents. Ensures collaboration between psychiatry and neurology for dually diagnosed individuals, providing neurologist with necessary information and ensuring 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. 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 participation. 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. 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, including participation in disaster response, recovery, or COOP activation, which may require alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of methods and procedures in the field of general medicine and general psychiatry. Knowledge of principles of the development, implementation, and documentation of person‑centered individualized care and recovery plans. Knowledge of the principles of psychiatric treatment and ability to work collaboratively 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 conducting psychiatric research when necessary. Ability to assess, diagnose, 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 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) required. At least three years’ experience working as a psychiatrist preferred. At least twelve (12) months experience working with people with psychiatric disorders preferred. Additional Information All 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; Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age. Flexibility in work hours may be required; 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. Employees are required to be vaccinated for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and influenza; if not immunized for influenza, a mask and other protective measures may be required. 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. Pre‑Employment Checks And Work Eligibility Applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks. HHSC uses E‑Verify. Applicants must bring I‑9 documentation to their first day of work. Telework Disclaimer Position may be eligible for telework. All HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs. Nearest Major Market: San Antonio #J-18808-Ljbffr