Physician - Behavioral Health

Terrell State Hospital is seeking a Director of Psychology to lead psychological services at a Joint Commission-accredited inpatient psychiatric hospital serving adults and youth. This senior leadership role offers the autonomy to shape clinical programs, establish policies, develop staff, and advance recovery-focused, evidence-based care.

Opportunity Highlights

• Compensation: $129,136-$172,272 annually
• Leadership: Oversee psychology services, staff development, and hospital-wide clinical programming
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, daytime hours; no on-call
• Health Benefits: 100% employer-paid employee premiums and 50% dependent premiums
• Retirement: State pension plan, vesting after 5 years, plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Loan Repayment: PSLF eligible; Texas Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Assistance Program
• Professional Development: Teaching, research, committee participation, and academic affiliation opportunities

Why Join Terrell State Hospital?

• Lead clinical strategy: Shape psychology policies, procedures, and programs across the hospital.
• Influence quality of care: Advance recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and evidence-based practices for patients with complex psychiatric needs.
• Collaborate at the leadership level: Advise hospital administration and partner with multidisciplinary teams to improve treatment and patient outcomes.
• Build a growing team: Recruit, mentor, and develop psychology staff as the hospital expands.
• Make a meaningful impact: Help strengthen psychological services within a system serving adults and youth, including individuals with complex and forensic mental health needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct psychological and behavioral health programs in collaboration with medical, nursing, social work, and administrative teams.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate psychology staff while supporting recruitment and professional development.
• Establish and update clinical policies, procedures, evaluation standards, and treatment practices.
• Guide psychological assessments and recovery-focused treatment planning, including suicide risk evaluation and co-occurring psychiatric and substance use conditions.
• Monitor clinical outcomes and lead quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives.
• Promote trauma-informed care, patient engagement, peer support, and efforts to reduce restrictive interventions.
• Advise hospital leadership and treatment teams on clinical practices, patient progress, and safe discharge planning.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in psychology.
• Current Texas psychologist license, or licensure in a reciprocity state with eligibility to obtain Texas licensure.
• At least three years of experience administering standardized psychological evaluations.

Preferred

• Three or more years providing psychological services in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
• Two or more years supervising psychology, behavioral, or programming staff.
• Experience with applied behavior analysis and behavior support planning.
• Background in forensic mental health, serious mental illness, or co-occurring psychiatric and substance use conditions.

About the Organization

Texas Health and Specialty Care System, part of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, operates psychiatric hospitals, youth residential treatment facilities, and state-supported living centers. Its psychiatric hospitals provide recovery-oriented, evidence-based care. Terrell State Hospital is located in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA score of 16) and serves adults and youth in an inpatient setting with capacity for up to 220 beds.

Additional Details

• On-site position; telework and telemedicine are not available.
• CME funding and time off, paid state holidays, vacation, and sick leave are provided.
• Travel up to 5% may be required.
• Relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses are not offered.
• Employment is contingent on required fingerprint, background, drug, and registry checks and compliance with HHSC immunization policy.
• Locum tenens and 1099 arrangements are not available.