Psychologist III

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: Psychologist III

• Job Title: Psychologist III Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
• Department: Adm AcuteCarePsych Direct Car Posting Number: 22783 Closing Date: 12/29/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational
• Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
• Salary Range: $8,800.00 - $11,864.50 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-27
• Shift: Day Additional
• Shift: Days (First) Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
• Travel: Up to 5% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility
• Location: San Antonio State Hospital Job Location City: SAN ANTONIO Job
• Location Address: 6711 S NEW BRAUNFELS Other Locations: San Antonio MOS Codes: 230X,42PX,71F,73B This position is located on the Maximum Security Unit

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 performs highly advanced, specialized psychological work and is required to complete complex tasks and make varied decisions within broad parameters and with minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The Psychologist III provides professional supervision and consultation for staff and special programs. The Psychologist III may also supervise psychology interns or practicum students. He/she actively participates in and approves decisions to hire staff psychologists.

The Psychologist III is responsible for ongoing performance evaluation of staff psychologists and participates in the formal evaluation process.

The Psychologist III reviews and coordinates the review and approval process for behavior support plans and reviews the use of psychotropic medication in treating behavior problems.

The Psychologist III systematically evaluates the consistent implementation of behavior support plans through personal observation, staff interviews, and review of documentation. He/she works with Unit Directors and staff psychologists to facilitate effective program implementation.

The Psychologist III provides for professional development of staff psychologists including applied behavior analysis, learning principles, positive behavior support, and contemporary psychological issues to positively impact service delivery.

The Psychologist III is responsible for maintaining knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policy and for developing systems and procedures to meet the standards and requirements therein. Some travel is required, and work schedule varies upon request or as needed.

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.

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 professional supervision and consultation to Psychology staff and others, as needed, to ensure effective staff performance and resident support.

Evaluates psychological/behavioral services and develops plans of improvement as needed to address needs/deficiencies to ensure compliance with relevant laws, standards, and policies as well as to ensure best practice.

Ensures ongoing training and technical assistance to assigned professional staff and others as needed (e. g., direct contact staff) to facilitate service delivery and professional growth.

Ensures coordination and integration of psychological/behavioral services with other areas throughout the facility to ensure clear expectations, facilitate best practices, ensure uniformity of procedures, and to support system values.

Ensures quality and effectiveness of psychological activities and programs and oversees evaluations when indicated.

Participates in the joint selection and orientation of assigned staff to ensure appropriate screening, hiring process, and effective selection/orientation.

• Performs special assignments at the request of the Clinical Director.
• Maintains current knowledge in relevant professional areas.

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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge and experience in administering all aspects of the delivery of psychological service to persons with psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.

• Knowledge regarding etiology and characteristics of psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.
• Knowledge regarding applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policy.
• Knowledge and skills in the administration of standardized evaluations.
• Knowledge and skills in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Knowledge regarding psychotropic medications and systems to track treatment effectiveness.
• Ability to train staff in programming and related psychological/behavioral areas.
• Ability to professionally supervise psychological/behavioral and programming staff.
• 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.
• Knowledge and skills in using personal computers and relevant software.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

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

Initial Screening Criteria

• A doctoral degree in Psychology.
• At least three years of experience in administering psychological service in the inpatient psychiatric setting preferred.
• At least three years of experience in the administration of standardized evaluations.
• Applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience supervising psychological/behavioral and programming staff preferred.

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. Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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,