Behavioral Health Assistant

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:

Behavioral Health Assistant

Job Title: Health Assistant

Agency: Health & Human Services Commission

Department: Professional Supervision

Posting Number: 12663

Closing Date: 01/23/2026

Salary Range: $3,649.83 – $4,594.50 per month

Location: Abilene, 2501 Maple St, Abilene State Supported Living Center

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.

This role 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. You will assist behavioral health specialists and behavior analysts in the development of Skills Acquisition Plans (SAPs) and/or Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs). The job also involves training direct care staff, assisting in implementation of PBSPs/SAPs, providing special treatment or training sessions, substituting for other behavioral health staff at meetings, and other duties as needed.

• Attend work regularly and may be required to work specific shift schedules, rotating schedules, extended shifts, overtime, per agency policies.
• Assist BHS staff in developing treatment and training strategies and providing therapy.
• Assist the interdisciplinary team (IDT) in developing treatment strategies, including baseline data collection.
• Gather information and data from direct care and clinical staff to contribute to individuals’ overall care plan.
• Complete various behavioral, psychiatric, preference, strengths, functional, adaptive skills or other assessments as assigned.
• Train and assist direct care staff in implementing PBSPs, SAPs, provide special treatment sessions, act as a restraint monitor, and perform Safe Use of Restraint (SUR) and Ukeru when necessary.
• Maintain contact with direct care and professional staff to support care plans.
• Collect, enter, tabulate, and report behavioral, SAP, and/or restraint data as needed.
• Participate in assigned meetings such as IDT meetings.
• Assist or administer behavioral, psychiatric, preference, strengths, functional assessments as needed.
• Participate in disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or location.

• Knowledge of behavioral analysis theories, research methodology, and regulatory guidelines related to intellectual disabilities.
• Proficiency with positive behavioral supports and Skill Acquisition Plans.
• Familiarity with behavioral, psychiatric, adaptive, and other assessments.
• Understanding of facility operations, policies, procedures, laws, and guidelines.
• Ability to implement educational and behavioral treatments and therapy.
• Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and collaborate in committees.
• Ability to train staff at all levels.
• Strong communication skills and ability to provide accurate oral and written reports.
• Computer proficiency:
  Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Care Tracker, IRIS.
• Ability to assist or administer and score various assessment results.
• Potential to become a Ukeru instructor if needed, providing related training.

• Experience in psychological work or…