Psychologist III Director of SSLC Forensic Psychological Services @ Austin State Office

The Director of SSLC Forensic Psychological Services reports to the Associate Commissioner for the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination, the Director of SSLC Forensic Psychological Services performs highly advanced psychological and administrative (senior-level) work, providing direction and coordination of the strategic operation and planning of psychological forensic services provided to adults found incompetent to stand trial and juveniles deemed unfit to proceed in Texas State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs). The Director of SSLC Psychological Forensic Services assists in the development, implementation, coordination, and oversight of forensic services and programming across Texas SSLCs. The Director of SSLC Psychological Forensic Services consults on complex forensic cases, conducts forensic competency assessments and evaluations, and provides court testimony as necessary. Additionally, the Director of SSLC Psychological Services will provide guidance and expert consultation on forensic admission policies and procedures as part of highly advanced administrative work.

Apply Directly via State of Texas Application: APPLY HERE

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• Develops, supports, and coordinates forensic psychological services for Texas SSLCs. 
• Directs, plans, and evaluates the delivery of competency restoration and fitness to proceed services across Texas SSLCs. 
• Provides direction): in the development, implementation, and oversight of forensic mental health policies, procedures, guidelines, treatment, discharge planning, and training, including competency restoration/fitness to proceed curricula and the production of quality trial competency/fitness to proceed evaluations and determination of intellectual disability assessments. 
• Designs and implements initiatives that improve the quality and provision of forensic services at Texas SSLCs.
• Provides training, oversight, and guidance for the high-risk determination (HRD) process in the Texas SSLCs. 
• Administers and interprets psychological tests and conducts forensic and clinical psychological assessments as needed. 
• Conducts trial competency examinations, chapter 55 evaluations, risk assessments, forensic consultations, and other forensic assessments and evaluations for Texas SSLCs.
• Provides expert psychological consultation on difficult forensic-related cases referred to the Texas SSLCs.
• Provides consultation and guidance in the development of educational forensic activities based on existing best practices and current peer-reviewed research.
• Provides training to staff on psychological best practices related to providing services to the forensic mental health population in the SSLCs. 
• Provides training and support to behavioral health staff in providing expert testimony at court hearings relating to competency/fitness/eligibility status of individuals served by SSLCs.  
• Provides advanced consultative activities related to forensic admissions.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and provides expert consultation, technical assistance, outreach, consultation, and training to internal and external entities and community stakeholders on forensic services and best practices for justice-involved adults and juveniles served in Texas SSLCs.
• Works in collaboration with Texas Health and Human Services Commission and HSCS stakeholders and partners.
• Serves on various committees and workgroups as assigned.
• Provides clinical and/or administrative supervision of others as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge and experience in administering all aspects of the delivery of psychological services to persons with intellectual disabilities. 
• Knowledge regarding etiology and characteristics of developmental disabilities. 
• Knowledge and skills in the administration of standardized evaluations including assessments of intelligence and adaptive behavior. 
• Knowledge and skills in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation. 
• Knowledge of clinical treatment/psychotherapy modalities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serious mental illness. 
• Knowledge of Texas laws pertaining to forensic commitments and procedures. 
• Knowledge of forensic psychological assessment, to include skills in diagnosis, interviewing, documentation, and report writing. 
• Skills in the use of psychological instruments to evaluate personality, neurocognition, adaptive functioning, suicide risk, violence risk, criminogenic risk, and malingering. 
• 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 training and technical assistance to clinical and administrative staff on forensic services.
• Ability to navigate an electronic medical record. 
• Ability to communicate assessment data and treatment/discharge implications to treatment teams, courts, community stakeholders, and patients, where appropriate. 
• Ability to operate a computer and applicable software, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software. 
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and make varied decisions within broad guidelines/parameters. 
• Advanced writing skills in developing technical reports, grants, research proposals, and other relevant documents. 
• Leadership skills in motivating staff and effectively implementing changes.
• 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. 
• Board Certification in Forensic Psychology is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Training in forensic psychology.
• Experience in administering forensic psychological services to persons with intellectual disabilities.
• Experience in conducting forensic psychological assessments and evaluations, including evaluation of competency, violence risk assessments, and assessments in intelligence and adaptive behavior. 

You’ve decided to make caring your career. Come to the place where you can do that and make a real difference in the lives of Texans with mental health needs.

HHSC’s Health and Specialty Care System has nine state psychiatric hospitals (with more expansion planned) and a residential unit dedicated to adolescents. The State Supported Living Centers have 13 long-term care campuses across the state.  These centers are home to many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Join us and you’ll have the opportunity to work in partnership with academic institutions, community providers, and partners within our agency as we increase work efficiency and provide patient-centered care to more than 12,000 people a year. You can also help us incorporate cutting edge technology into treatment plans.

If you want to be on the forefront of revolutionizing forensic and community psychiatric care or ensure and oversee the delivery of high quality, integrated medical services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, the HHSC Health and Specialty Care System is looking for bright people with new ideas to help us. With a growing demand for our services and a State Legislature that’s investing in the entire mental health continuum of care, Texas is positioned to be a leader and put itself in on the cutting edge of mental health for the 21st Century. Come be a part of it.