Physician - Behavioral Health

Terrell State Hospital is seeking a Director of Psychology to lead psychology services at its Joint Commission-accredited inpatient psychiatric hospital, with the autonomy to shape programs, policy, and recovery-focused care for adults and youth.

Compensation: $129,136 - $172,272 annually ($10,761.37 - $14,356.00 per month)

Health Insurance: 100% employer-paid employee premiums; 50% employer-paid dependent premiums

Retirement: State defined-benefit pension (vests after 5 years), plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans

Loan Repayment: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible; Texas Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Schedule: Monday-Friday business hours; no on-call; occasional weekend coverage may be required

Reports To: State Hospital Medical Director

Setting: Joint Commission-accredited inpatient psychiatric hospital serving adults and youth (up to 220 beds)

Why This Role

• Clinical leadership and autonomy. Serve as the senior psychology leader for the hospital with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment, reporting directly to the Medical Director.
• Build and shape the program. Design, implement, and revise psychology policies, procedures, and programs that shape evaluation, treatment, and documentation standards facility-wide.
• Meaningful, mission-driven work. Lead psychology services within a system that is a hub for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, grounded in recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and evidence-based practice.
• A growing team. The opening is driven by facility expansion and increased staffing needs, with additional Psychologist II and III positions being added in Terrell.
• Sustainable schedule. Day-shift, Monday-Friday schedule with no on-call.
• Professional development. Teaching, research, committee, and academic affiliation opportunities are open for discussion.

About the Organization

Texas Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS), part of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), includes ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. All psychiatric hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission and provide recovery-oriented, science-based treatment. Terrell State Hospital is located in a designated Mental Health HPSA (score 16).

What You Will Lead

• Oversee psychological and behavioral health programs in collaboration with medical, nursing, social work, and administrative disciplines to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance.
• Provide professional supervision, clinical leadership, mentoring, and performance evaluation for psychology staff.
• Advise hospital administration, recovery teams, and interdisciplinary staff on psychological evaluations, recovery-focused treatment planning, and safe discharge practices.
• Conduct and guide comprehensive psychological evaluations using standardized, evidence-based instruments, including suicide risk and co-occurring psychiatric and substance use conditions.
• Monitor program effectiveness, analyze outcomes and trends, and lead performance improvement and quality assurance initiatives.
• Champion trauma-informed care, patient engagement, peer support, and the reduction of restrictive interventions.
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, and developing psychology staff.

Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in Psychology
• Current Texas Psychologist license, or license in a reciprocity state and eligible to obtain Texas licensure
• At least 3 years of experience administering standardized psychological evaluations

Preferred:

• 3+ years administering psychological services in an inpatient psychiatric setting
• 2+ years supervising psychological, behavioral, and programming staff
• Experience in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation
• Background in forensic, serious mental illness, or co-occurring psychiatric and substance use populations

Additional Details

• On-site position; not eligible for telework or telemedicine
• Relocation assistance and sign-on bonus are not offered
• CME funding and time off provided; paid state holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Travel up to 5%
• Candidates must pass a fingerprint background check, drug screen, and registry checks, and comply with HHSC immunization policy
• Locum tenens and 1099 arrangements are not being considered