State Agency Psychological Consultant

Job Description:

A licensed psychologist in the State of Texas, hired by and reporting to the Social Security Administration (SSA) state Disability Determination Services (DDS) Medical Consultant Services Division, is responsible for making accurate and timely mental disability determinations on SSA disability claims based on SSA disability regulations.

Duties include:

Performing highly advanced disability determination mental case reviews ensuring the Social Security disability case is fully documented; all significant facts are reflected in the determination; conflicting evidence is reconciled; the conclusion reached is sound and rational; the weight given to the evidence is explained; the reasoning and thought process followed in evaluating the evidence are reflected; and the effect of the impairment(s) on the disability applicant's work capacity is clearly indicated.

Work is performed under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This position occasionally requires work during the weekends, holidays, and before or after normal business hours.

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Performs a full professional evaluation of the case, including the assessment of residual functioning capacity and, assess other specific medical issues, signing assessments and determinations as appropriate for all claim types/levels as assigned by the DDS.

Assists Disability Specialists, as necessary, in determining whether proposed development seems likely to provide sufficient detail about the applicant's impairment to complete the case to the extent necessary for a disability determination and evaluates the sufficiency of the evidence and need for further testing.

Establish standards for customer-focused communication and coordination within areas of responsibility and with all internal and external associates and customers.

Determines severity, whether the claimant meets or equals a listing, or for a Title XVI child whether the claimant's impairment functionality equals the listings.

Acts as a liaison between the DDS and the medical community making psychologist-to-psychologist contacts to obtain or clarify medical evidence, as needed.

Participates in training and staff development for new and current adjudicative staff, and serves as a Subject Matter Expert when called upon to do so.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Skill in applying SSA regulations, policies, and procedures relating to disability adjudication.

Skill in evaluating mental impairments as prescribed by Social Security through gathering, assembling and evaluating pertinent information for all level cases, to include appellate.

Skill in reading and analyzing documents, reports, and correspondence, and relating the information to the requirements for disability determinations within the framework of the SSA disability program.

Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies, procedures, diagnostic evaluations and assessments.

Skill in communicating both written and verbally, for understanding, to both medical professionals and lay-persons.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and rapports with managers, co-workers, supervisors, medical community, claimants, the general public and other DDS, HHS, and SSA partners.

Ability to use Social Security Administration software system or a comparable system.

Ability to protect and safeguard confidential and sensitive personal, medical, and vocational information in accordance with federal and state mandates.

Skill in adapting to program changes and fluctuating workloads.

Ability to manage time, make timely and accurate decisions, work under pressure, organize job related responsibilities, and meet deadlines.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

Must be licensed as a psychologist by the State of Texas.

Initial Selection Criteria:

Licensed as a psychologist by the State of Texas.

Possess a doctorate degree in psychology from a program in clinical psychology of an educational institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, formerly the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation; OR be listed in a national register of health service providers in psychology which the Commissioner of Social Security deems appropriate.

Possess two years of supervised clinical experience as a psychologist in health service, at least one year of which is post master's degree.

Additional Information:

Applicants may not have a history of substantiated fraudulent activity against HHSC or any programs it administers.

Applicants who have anon-fraud overpayment with an outstanding balance must agree to repay the overpayment balance as a condition of employment.

This position occasionally requires work during the weekends, holidays, and before or after normal business hours.

Individuals selected for positions with the Disability Determination Service (DDS) will go through a complete federal background investigation.

A suitability determination by the Social Security Administration is necessary to determine whether an employee can be issued credentials in order to have access to Social Security disability data, records, and systems.

The job offer is contingent upon a full suitability clearance through SSA.

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.

Applicants will be assessed through a panel interview.

Consideration will be given to filling additional vacancies that occur during this posting period.

Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.

The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits, follow HHS salary administration policy and guidelines and based on the candidate's qualifications.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid remote telework schedule if requirements are met and based on the agency's business needs.

Successful applicants must be willing to work in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment, under constant pressure to meet required deadlines.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1) Applicants who fail to follow the written instructions in completing the State of Texas Employment Application may be disqualified.

2) Your application must be complete.

It MUST contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, name of supervisor, current/final salary, and a description of duties in a way that demonstrates you meet the initial selection criteria at minimum.

Missing information may lead to disqualification.

3) Candidates may upload a resume but must have a complete State of Texas Employment application filled out to include summary of experience and duties performed.

MOS Code:

Note:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but are not limited to: Staff Corps, Medical Corps, 67D, 71F, 73B, 230X, MED10, 42PX.

All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position.

For more information, see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk on HHSC' Veterans Resources page, State Mandated Requirements (Excel Spreadsheet link).

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 .

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.