Telemedicine Staff Psychiatrist

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: Telemedicine Staff Psychiatrist

• Job Title: Psychiatrist III Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
• Department: Chld /orAdolPsych Psychiatry Posting Number: 22928 Closing Date: 11/20/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational
• Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
• Salary Range: $20,971.00 - $23,120.50 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-34
• Shift: Day Additional
• Shift: Telework: Eligible for Telework
• Travel: Up to 15% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility
• Location: Waco Center for Youth Job Location City: WACO Job
• Location Address: 3501 N 19TH ST Other Locations: MOS Codes: 210X,44PX,60W, SEI12 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.

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.

The Telemedicine Psychiatrist III performs highly advanced psychiatric assessment work and reports directly to the State Hospital Medical Director. Work involves conducting psychiatric activities, monitoring trends, and diagnosing and treating State Hospital patients.

Administers quality and appropriate specialized psychiatric treatments, assessments, and procedures as needed. Reviews and analyzes system data to ensure recovery plans are individualized and decisions are made in conjunction with the Recovery Team.

Ensures that the recovery plans are implemented as designed by providing consultation or training as needed to direct care staff. Attends weekly and monthly meetings and leads or chairs discussions to inform and create buy-in to necessary changes, with follow-through on the implementation plans.

Participates in committees of the State Hospital Governing Body and performance improvement activities.

Participates in or directs, as requested, any other clinically-related committee that is formed for the State Hospitals to recommend guidelines and standards of care in response to changes in research literature, regulatory environment, or public health as requested by the State Hospital Medical Director or State Hospitals Chief Medical Officer.

Plans, assigns, and guides the work of others in the process of the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care. May supervise others dependent upon State Hospital structure. Performs other duties relative to the position.

Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

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 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. The telemedicine psychiatrist is expected to be engaged in hospital-related activities and to be available during scheduled work hours.
• 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 (TJC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Texas Administrative Code (TAC), 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 process of the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care per standards.
• Establishes physician-patient relationship by direct face-to-face contact or telemedicine. All interaction with patients and staff will be conducted utilizing an agency approved video conferencing software, and audio and visual settings must be on during the duration of any patient visit or meeting where patient care is being discussed. 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. Documents how recovery plans are person-centered and 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 recovery team and direct care staff while following HHSC and local policies and procedures, TJC standards, CMS conditions of participation, TAC, and other state statutes.
• 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 other medical specialists when needed. Provides other medical specialists with necessary information and ensures that psychiatry notes reflect this collaboration. 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, Therapeutics, etc.) designed to ensure patients are receiving quality care.
• Consults with other psychiatrists, other medical staff, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and others to collaboratively develop psychiatric interventions, identify environmental factors that may impact psychiatric care, and participates 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.
• Works with Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) as the delegating physician. May manage other staff by providing regular feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and taking corrective action when needed, dependent upon hospital organizational structure.
• 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. Attends meetings and chairs discussions to inform and create buy-in to necessary changes, with follow through on hospital performance improvement plans. Participates in desk and onsite audits by reviewing records and applying audit tools.
• Participates in mandatory training per HHSC policies and procedures, HIPAA policies, state and federal rules and regulations, and TJC standards and CMS conditions of participations to provide quality psychiatric services and care to individuals served.
• 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 participations in order to provide quality psychiatric services and care to individuals served.
• 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 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.
• Knowle