Psychiatry III Opportunity @ Mexia SSLC

The Psychiatrist III performs advanced psychiatric assessment work and reports directly to the SSLC Medical Director. Work involves conducting psychiatric activities, monitoring trends, diagnosing, and treating SSLC residents. Administers quality and appropriate specialized psychiatric treatments, assessments, and procedures as needed. Reviews and analyzes system data to ensure treatment plans are individualized and decisions are made in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT). Ensures that the treatment plans are implemented as designed by providing consultation or training as needed to behavioral health and 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 Peer Review Committees for performance improvement as appropriate. Participates in or directs, as requested, any other clinically related committee that is formed for the SSLCs to recommend guidelines and standards of care in response to changes in research literature, regulatory environment, or public health as requested by the facility Medical Director or state office Medical Services Coordinator. Plans, assigns, and guides the work of others in the process of the multi-disciplinary approach to resident care. May supervise others depending upon SSLC structure. Performs other duties relative to the position. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• 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. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
• Utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to complete psychiatric assessments of individuals, and administers psychiatric treatments and medications within the SSLC policies/procedures as deliberated with and agreed upon by the IDT. Conduct all required medication reviews in conjunction with psychologist and nurse according to Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) standards. Attends and participates in medication reviews and other meetings as requested by the IDT or administrators. Performs medication reviews in accordance with policy. Plans, assigns, and guides the work of others in the process of the multi-disciplinary approach to resident care per policy and procedures and the Department of Justice settlement agreement.
• Establish physician-patient relationship by direct face-to-face contact. For newly admitted individuals, face-to-face contact must be established within 14 calendar days since new admission. Conducts at least quarterly psychiatric clinics as scheduled, emergency and follow up psychiatric clinics and psychiatric reviews as requested by the IDTs or the state office Psychiatric Services Coordinator. Treats each individual with the most effective medication and the most effective dosage. Reviews lab work, modifies treatment plans, and records deliberations and recommendations accurately and timely in the electronic health record.
• Develops and implements psychiatric treatment plans documenting how supports and interventions are customized for the individuals’ psychiatric needs as well as their strengths and preferences. Documents how treatment plans are 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 IDT, behavioral health, and direct care staff while following HHS and local policies and procedures, state and federal rules and regulations, and ICF-IID standards.
• 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 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, behavioral health specialists and/or psychologists, and others to collaboratively develop behavioral 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, writing orders for the emergency use of medication, and coordinating psychiatric hospitalizations as a last resort when clinically indicated. Participates in post-chemical restraint assessment not later than 72 hours post chemical restraint.
• Reviews and monitors system data and trends related to the quality of psychiatric care provided at the SSLC at least monthly. Addresses issues identified through monitoring of data and presents changes to the IDT. Attends meetings and chairs discussions to inform and create buy-in to necessary changes, and follows through on the individualized implementation plans. Participates in desk and onsite audits by reading records and applying audit tools.
• Maintains open and regular communication with the Lead Psychiatrist, Medical Director, Facility Director, and other staff to ensure the transfer of needed information and continuity of services. Participates in various committees designed to ensure residents are receiving quality care, such as Medical Services Division, Pharmacy, Therapeutics, Clinical Death Review, Administrative Death Review, Root Cause Analysis, and Admission Reviews.
• Participate in mandatory training per HHS policies and procedures, HIPAA policies, state and federal rules and regulations, and ICF-IID regulations, and the requirements in the SSLC’s Department of Justice Settlement Agreement to provide quality psychiatric services and care to individuals served.
  Develops, implements, organizes, and provides leadership in the area of Psychiatric Services following HHS policies and procedures, state and federal rules and regulations, and ICF-IID standards in order to provide quality psychiatric services and care to individuals served.
• May manage staff within the psychiatric department providing regular feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and taking corrective action when needed, depending upon facility organizational structure.
• 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 of methods and procedures in the field of general medicine and general psychiatry; and of principles of the development, implementation, and documentation of individualized care and treatment plans.
• Knowledge of the principles of behavior treatment and ability to work collaboratively with the behavioral health 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 intellectual and developmental disabilities in a large residential setting.
• Skill in the care and treatment of patients; in the use of medical and psychiatric diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment; and in conducing psychiatric research when necessary.
• Knowledge and skill in effectively using an electronic healthcare system and Microsoft Office products.
• 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; to examine, diagnose, and treat mental disorders; to interpret psychological diagnoses and analyses; develop policies and procedures; and to prepare and supervise the preparation of case 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 Interdisciplinary Team by facilitating a unified, effective team approach using the expertise of all team members 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, Safe Use of Restraints, and Ukeru.
  Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing.

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.