Health Assistant - Texas Health & Human Services Commission : Job Details

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Behavioral Health Assistant works within the Behavioral Health Department (or other department depending on SSLC structure) performing routine duties that support the learning of practical, functional, and meaningful skills, while decreasing challenging behavior. Work involves assisting behavioral health specialists and behavior analysts in the development of Skills Acquisition Plans (SAPs) and/or Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs). This includes taking, entering, monitoring, and reporting various forms of data and completing various behavioral, psychiatric, preference, strengths, functional, adaptive skills or other assessments deemed necessary by the Behavior Health Specialist or Behavior Analyst. Work also includes training direct care staff, assisting in the creation or implementation of PBSPs and/or SAPs, providing special treatment and/or training sessions, substituting for other behavioral health staff at assigned meetings, and other duties deemed necessary by the supervisor in the provision of behavioral health and skill acquisition programming. Works under moderate supervision with minimal latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. A flexible work schedule and overtime will be required.

Essential Job Functions:

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.

Assists BHS staff in the development of treatment and training strategies and the provision of therapy.

Assist the IDT in the development of treatment strategies, including baseline data. Contributes to individuals' overall care plan by gathering information and data from direct care and clinical staff.

Completes various behavioral, psychiatric, preference, strengths, functional, adaptive skills or other assessments deemed necessary as assigned.

Trains and assists direct care staff in implementing PBSPs, SAPs, and/or provides special treatment sessions, serves as a restraint monitor and performs Safe Use of Restraint (SUR) and Ukeru when necessary.

Contributes to individuals' overall care plan by maintaining contact with both direct care and professional staff.

Collects, enters, tabulates, and reports on behavioral, SAP and/or restraint data as needed.

Attends and participates in assigned meetings such as interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings.

Administers or assists in administering various behavioral, psychiatric, preference, strengths, functional, adaptive skills or other assessments deemed necessary by the Behavior Health Specialist or Behavior Analyst.

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 Abilities:

Behavioral analysis theories and practice and regulatory guidelines as related to the field of intellectual disabilities

Behavioral principles and behavioral research methodology

Positive behavioral supports

Skill Acquisition Plans and the active treatment loop

Various behavioral, psychiatric, adaptive, and other assessments

Facility operations and policies, procedures, laws, rules, standards, and guidelines.

Ability to:

Implement educational and behavioral treatment and therapy

Work with interdisciplinary teams and collaborate in other committees

Train staff at all levels

Communicate effectively and provide accurate and complete oral and written reports

Use computers and relevant software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and electronic health data systems like CareTracker and IRIS

Assist or administer and score results of various assessments

Become certified as a Ukeru instructor if needed and provide such training.

Skills to:

Observe and accurately document challenging behaviors and/or skills acquisition

Model appropriate implementation of plans

Monitor staff implementation of plans

Coach direct care and other staff in the appropriate implementation of plans

Document data and progress accurately and thoroughly

Enter and report data from the electronic records system and Excel

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

None Initial Selection Criteria:

Experience in psychological work. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in psychology or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Experience teaching, training and/or coaching others.

Experience participating as a member of a multidisciplinary/ interdisciplinary team.

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 Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities.

Males 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 position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

MOS Code:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 67D, 230X, 4EHX, 68W. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You 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 disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-###-####. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS