Lead Psychiatrist
Listed compensation
$277k-$305k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about time off.
Job Description
Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.
Functional Title: Lead Psychiatrist
- Job Title: Psychiatrist IV Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
- Department: Physician Services Posting Number: 23178 Closing Date: 02/07/2027 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational
- Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Salary Range: $23,068.08 - $25,432.58 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-35
- Shift: Day Additional
- Shift: Days (First) Telework: Eligible for Telework
- Travel: Up to 5% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility
- Location: San Angelo State Supported Living Center Job Location City: CARLSBAD Job
- Location Address: 11640 US HWY 87 N Other Locations: San Angelo MOS Codes: 210X,44PX,60W, SEI12 Brief
Job Description
Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers
If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!
The Lead Psychiatrist performs highly advanced psychiatric work under direct supervision of the SSLC Medical Director. Directs, oversees, and/or conducts the examination and diagnoses of patients, and administers psychiatric treatment and medication as needed.
Administers specialized psychiatric treatments and/or procedures. Directs staff and provides leadership to ensure optimal quality psychiatric treatment services for the individuals entrusted to the care of the SSLC.
Monitors trends and activities, prepares reports, and makes recommendations for operational and services improvement as appropriate. Serves as an active member of the patient’s Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and provides guidance to treatment team members regarding the treatment of the patients under their care.
Reviews patient records and files in conjunction with the IDT to determine the progress, effectiveness, and appropriateness of treatment services offered. Plans, assigns, and/or supervises the work of others, including other Psychiatrists.
Participates in Peer Review Committees for performance improvement as appropriate.
Participate 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.
Serves on assigned committees as required. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. An opportunity for telework exists at the discretion of the center leadership and based on local needs but must be on site no less than 40 hours per month.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs)
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. An opportunity for telework exists at the discretion of the center leadership and based on local needs but must be on site no less than 40 hours per month.
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.
Attends and participates in 90-day 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.
Conducts psychiatric clinics as scheduled and psychiatric reviews as requested by the IDTs or the state office Medical 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.
Attends on-site Neurology Clinic routinely. Attends other specialty clinics (Ear, Nose, and Throat; Gynecological; Psychiatric; Podiatry; Vision; and Dermatology) as requested and carries out procedures and recommendations of visiting medical specialists.
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 Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) standards.
Reads and analyzes medical records, leads discussions in staff meetings, participates in conference calls concerning clinical psychiatric issues, reviews the clinical practice of providers in peer review proceedings, and provides written opinions and recommendations as appropriate on all matters raised in these venues. Interacts with and makes recommendations to family members, guardians, and legally authorized representatives (LAR) when requested.
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.
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 Medical Director, facility Director, and other staff to ensure the transfer of needed information and continuity of services. Participate in various committees designed to ensure residents are receiving quality care, such as Medical Services Division, Pharmacy, Therapeutics, and Admission Reviews.
Participates in the Executive Formulary Committee for SSLCs by reviewing monographs related to new and old drugs, analyzing system data, and attending quarterly meetings.
Initiates and participates as requested in 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, and the regulatory environment.
Travels occasionally to other SSLCs to participate in team reviews to assess compliance with regulations, policies, and standards.
Reviews the work of other Psychiatrists and clinic staff for appropriateness of care, quality of care, and timeliness of care. Manages staff within the psychiatric department. Provides regular feedback (written and oral), performs yearly performance evaluations in accordance with policy, and takes corrective action when needed.
Provides psychiatric coordination, collaboration, and consultation with the facility Medical Director, the State Office Medical Services Coordinator, the State Office Psychiatric Coordinator, as well as the Director of the SSLC in all matters of resident care services, quality improvement initiatives, Joint Commission compliance, state Texas Administrative Code, Department of Justice, and regulatory agency code compliances. Advises the facility Medical Director, the state office Psychiatric Coordinator, and/or state office Medical Services Coordinator of unusual or difficult psychiatric problems experienced at the SSLC.
Stays current with research of psychiatric and behavioral health treatments. Reviews and makes recommendations to the appropriate authority for changes in evaluation tools and treatment protocols used to ensure compliance with the standards for quality of care concerning psychiatry and behavior health services.
Provides staff guidance and training for new employees, professional staff, direct contact staff, and families. Participates in mandatory training per HHS po
Key Responsibilities
The Lead Psychiatrist oversees psychiatric care, conducts patient examinations, and administers treatments within a state supported living center. They provide leadership to the interdisciplinary team, monitor clinical trends, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards and quality of care.
Requirements
Candidates must be licensed as a medical doctor in Texas and be Board Certified or Board eligible in Psychiatry. A minimum of three years of psychiatric experience is required, along with current DEA registration and NPI number.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Certifications
Key Skills
Psychiatry — Physician Career Context
In Texas, the Psychiatry weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$331k (70 salary observations; 446 listings), vs ~$324k nationally (1,569 salary observations; 7,765 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2025-11-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for Texas is 97.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$291k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $300k in an average-cost state. 57.7% of Texas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.3 / 10 · above average in physician roles | ranked against 22,409 Physician roles listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $277k–$305k | Psychiatry median $324k (middle half $275k–$364k)98 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Texas vs national | $331k median in Texas | $324k nationally (+2%)70 state / 1,569 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$300k in purchasing power | Texas index 97.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Psychiatry listings in Texas | 187 active | 1,902 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | remote | peers: 62% remote · 66% no call · 72% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Texas physician listings (all specialties): 20% state a sign-on bonus (median $75k) · 6% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| Psychiatry hiring demand | #27 of 28 specialties | postings stay open a median 34 days · 28% state a sign-on bonusWeekdayDoc Hiring Index, October 2026 · 728 postings, 654 closed |
| New Psychiatry listings | 1,290 in the last 30 days | 1,001 the 30 days before (+29%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Psychiatry pay trend | −3.7% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Lead Psychiatrist at Texas Health & Human Services Commission a 6.3 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Physician roles — ranked against 22,409 active Physician roles listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no night shifts, remote work flexibility.
Location & Logistics
Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$291k midpoint, that is roughly $12k–$20k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
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