Job/Position DescriptionA State Agency Psychological Consultant (SAPhC) is 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. The SAPhC 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 applicantand#146;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. DDS employees perform all business functions for the Social Security Administration (SSA), using the federal SSA network and equipment. Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 security clearance is required.Essential Job FunctionsAttends 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 applicantand#146;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. (25%)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 claimantand#146;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.Performs other duties as assigned.Registrations, Licensure Requirements or CertificationsFor the Social Security Disability Program: Must be licensed as a psychologist by the State of Texas;AND EITHERand#149; 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; ORand#149; be listed in a national register of health service providers in psychology which the Commissioner Of Social Security deems appropriate; ANDand#149; possesses two years of supervised clinical experience as a psychologist in health service, at least one year of which is post masterand#146;s de https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/CareerPortal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=619934 Copy the URL in the preceding sentence to an Internet Explorer browser to apply to the job directly through the Texas Health and Human Services Career Portal.
