Discipline Coordinator for Rights Protection

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Discipline Coordinator for Rights Protection 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Hospitals Section 
Posting Number: 16168 
Closing Date: 06/20/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $9,508.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 909 W 45TH ST BLDG 552 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Discipline Coordinator for Rights Protection works closely with State Hospital (SH) state office division staff and staff at the SHs on a daily basis, performing highly advanced (senior level) consultative, analytical, and technical assistance to ensure that practices regarding patient rights, staffing, and operations of all individual services provided at SHs conform with the Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, Texas Administrative Code, and all other relevant state and federal laws, rules and regulations. The Discipline Coordinator for Rights Protection conducts highly advanced program reviews to monitor and evaluate that SHs are operating at standards consistent with procedures, agency policies, and the SH rules.  Develops administrative policies, procedures and practices working in coordination with SH Rights Protection Officers, superintendents, assistant superintendents, and other state office Rights coordinators. The Discipline Coordinator for Rights Protection represents the program area at meetings, serves on various committees, and acts as a liaison or point of contact with oversight entities and other external stakeholders as required.  Additionally, the Discipline Coordinator for Rights Protection acts as a liaison or point of contact with family/guardians and state office. As directed, this position will be required to conduct investigations and make recommendations towards resolution regarding family/guardian complaints and concerns.  The Discipline Coordinator for Rights Protection works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Discipline Coordinator for Rights Protection reports to the Quality and Incident Management Director. This position is based in Austin and requires some travel to all SHs.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include 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.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked 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.

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

Travels to SH facilities as needed. Audits, reviews, monitors, and analyzes patient rights and restrictions implemented at the SH to ensure they are in compliance with TAC guidelines. Provides summary and recommendations to each SH to the Rights Protection Officer and Superintendent.  (10%)

Provides high-level expertise, mentoring, consultation, and technical assistance to SHs regarding the hospitals' compliance with policies and procedures related to patient rights. Reviews, updates, and trains SHs on rights-related policies and procedures. Conducts monthly meetings with Rights Protection Officers to provide updates, training, and education.  (20%)

Develops and implements audit processes for SHs to ensure efficient and effective operations and service delivery; monitors and evaluates facilities to identify potential improvement areas, best practices, and ensures compliance with policies and procedures. Reviews approved monitoring tool on a monthly basis for all SHs.  (15%)

Oversees the development and implementation of and ensures compliance with program policies, procedures, manuals, forms, and plans program activities in accordance with program objective and goals. Provides feedback and shares best practice opportunities to SHs. (10%)

Plans, prioritizes, and provides training and technical guidance to SHs regarding rights protections; identifies and coordinates use of available resources to improve the quality of program area for SHs; serves as a coach and informal mentor for SH RPO. (20%)

Develops partnerships with State Hospital staff and stakeholders, including consumers and their families, advocacy groups, other state and federal agencies, professional associations, and the general public.  

Provides assistance to SH and guardians based on concerns and/or questions. Conducts training upon request from SH. Represents the Rights area at meetings and serves on various committees. (10%)

Conducts impartial investigations to identify SH policy/system failures and makes recommendations for plans of correction; implements and evaluates operational policies and procedures to improve targeted issues at SHs; develops and implements operational changes to optimize SH functioning.  Coordinates, plans, and completes reports for the State Hospital System, as well as implementing a system to track required reports and compliance with due dates.

(10%)

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, such as special projects, special investigations, and ad hoc assignments.  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. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area to include Joint Commission, CMS, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and HHSC policies and procedures related to State Hospitals

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.

Ability to devise solutions to complex problems.

Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

Ability to prepare reports, to communicate effectively, and to assign the work of others.

Ability to effectively handle multiple responsibilities and plan work activities

Skill in performing the functions of this job through daily use of a computer, including use of Microsoft Excel, Word, Access and Outlook. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; major in social work, sociology, psychology, or a human services field, such as patient advocacy or human rights.

OR

Four (4) years in one or more of the following fields: Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or patient advocacy or human rights.

Three (3) years’ experience working in a psychiatric healthcare setting. Preferred.

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 Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS 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 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.