Job details
Salary $20,500 - $20,971 a month job type full-time
Full job description
The brenham state supported living center (sslc) is seeking a board certified/board eligible psychiatrist to join an interdisciplinary team of professionals to provide clinical care to residents of the sslcThis psychiatrist position will allow for the use of onsite psychiatry care and telepsychiatry in combination to perform the essential job functionsGenerally, the telepsychiatrist will work monday through friday 8 am to 5 pm in the sslc’s time zoneSome deviations to the schedule may be pre-approved by the supervisor to meet the needs of the telepsychiatrist and the sslc.
As an sslc psychiatrist, you will work with a dynamic group of staff and professionals who are dedicated to providing supports and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilitiesThis is a team environment where staff clinicians collaborate to provide comprehensive care and servicesTo learn more about the sslcs, see https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/jobs-hhs/state-supported-living-center-opportunities.
The most important characteristic about sslc employees is that we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independenceOur vision statement is “individuals served at state supported living centers will experience the highest quality of life, supported through a comprehensive array of services designed to maximize well-being, dignity, and respect.”
The state of texas offers many benefits to employees, including competitive salaries, career advancement, health and dental insurance, and paid vacation and sick leave.
The psychiatrist performs advanced psychiatric assessment work and reports directly to the sslc medical director or lead psychiatrist, depending upon sslc organizational structureThis position will perform the essential job functions predominantly through telepsychiatry, which use computer and telephone equipment and allows for the psychiatrist to work remotely from any location in texasSome on-site services will be required, the frequency and duration of which will be at the joint discretion of the lead psychiatrist, medical and sslc directorWork involves conducting psychiatric activities, monitoring trends, diagnosing, and treating sslc residentsAdministers quality and appropriate specialized psychiatric treatments, assessments, and procedures as neededReviews 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 staffAttends weekly/monthly meetings and leads/chairs discussions to inform and create buy-in to necessary changes, and follows through on the implementation plansParticipates in peer review committees for performance improvement as appropriateParticipates 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 mental health as requested by the facility lead psychiatrist, medical director or state office psychiatric services coordinatorPlans, assigns, and guides the work of others in the process of the multi-disciplinary approach to resident careSupervises aprn, physician assistants, and/or others depending upon sslc structurePerforms other duties related to the positionWorks under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential job functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule, generally monday through friday 8 am to 5 pm in the sslc’s time zone, in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assignedOn some occasions, may require to work overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assignedServes on-call in a rotating schedule as needed to respond to emergencies.
Establishes physician-patient relationship by direct face-to-face contactFor newly admitted individuals, face-to-face contact must be established within 14 calendar days of the admission dateFor newly admitted individuals, telepsychiatrist may delegate this original face-to-face contact to another psychiatrist or psychiatric aprnIt is telepsychiatrist responsibility to find an appropriate coverage for delegation of this original face-to-face contactTelepsychiatrist must still establish physician-patient relationship, with face-to-face contact within 28 calendar days since new admissionProvides ongoing psychiatric care both direct (face-to-face) and indirect contactFor face-to-face contact, telepsychiatrist must be present at the sslc for at least 16 hours every 14 calendar days, except when on vacation or sick leave with appropriate delegating coverageTelepsychiatrist must be physically present at the center during doj visits (approximately every nine months) and state annual regulatory visitsFor ongoing indirect telepsychiatry care, interaction with individuals and idt during psychiatry clinics and ispa, must be real time audio-visual interactionFor participation at isp, polypharmacy, qaqi, neurology clinic or any other required activities, a high-quality audio interaction is allowed if audio-visual interaction is not availableTelepsychiatrist must be free from driving or other distractions during that time.
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 idtConducts required in conjunction with psychologist and nurse according to intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (icf-iid) standardsAttends and participates in medication reviews and other meetings as requested by the idt or administratorsPerforms medication reviews in accordance with policyPlans, 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 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 coordinatorTreats each individual with the most effective medication and the most effective dosageReviews 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 preferencesDocuments how treatment plans are least-restrictive interventions based on risk vsBenefit analysis and treatment history, and how psychiatric supports and interventions are integrated with the supports and interventions from other disciplinesDevelops 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 medications consents.
Ensures collaboration between psychiatry and neurology for dually diagnosed individualsProvides 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 therapyManages 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 indicatedParticipates in face-to-face post chemical restraint assessment not later than 72 hours post chemical restraintWith supervisory approval, this may be delegated to another psychiatrist or psychiatric aprn by the telepsychiatrist.
Reviews and monitors system data and trends related to the quality of psychiatric care provided at the sslc at least monthlyAddresses issues identified through monitoring of data and presents changes to the idtAttends meetings and chairs discussions to inform and create buy-in to necessary changes, and follows through on the individualized implementation plansParticipates 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 servicesParticipates 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 case 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) activationSuch participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge skills abilities:
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.
Skill in the use of phone and computer equipment necessary to perform telepsychiatry.
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.
Registration or licensure requirements:
Must be licensed (unrestricted) as a medical doctor by the state of texas and be board certified or board eligible in psychiatry in the state of texasMust have current unrestricted registration certificate from the drug enforcement agency (dea)Must possess a national provider identifier (npi#) as defined by medicare part b.
Initial selection criteria:
Residency trained.
At least three years experience working as a psychiatrist is preferred.
Experience working through telepsychiatry is preferred.
Experience working with people with mental illness and intellectual disabilities is preferred.
Additional information:
Requisition number 498771
Special note regarding telework: in accordance with hhsc policy, a telework employee will not be reimbursed for travel from the employee`s residence to the office.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the client abuse/neglect reporting system (canrs), nurse aide, medication aide and employee misconduct and hhs oig list of excluded individuals/ entitiesMales between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the selective service.
All state supported living center employees are subject to random drug testing.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this positionThis position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
All new hire candidates will be required to receive covid-19 medical screening (nasal test) as part of the due diligence process
Mos code:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 60u, 60w, 210x, 92, med10, 44pxAll active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this positionFor more information see the texas state auditor’s military crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/compensation/jobdescriptions.aspx
Hhs agencies use e-verifyYou must bring your i-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 form - click here to download the i-9 form.
In compliance with the americans with disabilities act (ada), hhs agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disabilityIf you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the hhs employee service center at 1-888-894-4747If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
