Job Description

Posting number: 2026-02641

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: BHHA

Job classification: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Health Services, Mental Health, Social Services, Human Services, Allied Health, Health Sciences, Counseling, Community and Social Services, Health Care Support, Rehabilitation Services

DSHS ESH Occupational Therapist 2

Eastern State Hospital is hiring for an Occupational Therapist 2 to join our team in Medical Lake, WA. In this position, you’ll help adults with serious mental health needs regain skills for everyday life. Your work will focus on building each patient’s independence, safety, and confidence through therapy programs tailored to their needs.

You’ll design and deliver therapy programs that focus on thinking skills, movement, self-care, and social connection. You’ll work side-by-side with patients, coaching them through daily living activities, encouraging positive behaviors, and guiding them toward their recovery goals.

This is a hands-on clinical role where you’ll assess abilities, create treatment plans, and guide patients through activities that strengthen thinking, movement, self-care, and social skills. You’ll work closely with a multidisciplinary team to make sure therapy is safe, effective, and part of each patient’s overall recovery plan.

Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Saturday-Sunday off.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Creatively develop occupation-based group interventions applicable to clients’ needs and institutional goals
• Evaluate and assess patients to determine their current level of occupational performance
• Determine rehabilitation potential, evaluate clients’ needs, and plan treatment programs
• Develop treatment goals, objectives, and interventions appropriate to age, abilities, and projected occupational roles
• Collaborate with patients, treatment teams, and other practitioners in the establishment of a treatment plan
• Consult with others concerning patient strengths, needs, and functional levels
• Implement treatment, modify as needed, and provide follow-up
• Instruct and direct Certified OT Assistants on clinical issues
• Document patient response to interventions
• Communicate with patients, staff, significant others, and community members

Who should apply? Professionals that have the following:

• Graduated from an accredited Occupational Therapy program
• Successfully completed the National Board Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination
• An active l icense by the state of Washington as an Occupational Therapist to practice occupational therapy
• And 18 months of professional occupational therapy experience

Equivalent education/experience may qualify.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:

• Work effectively with people diagnosed with chronic and/or acute mental illness and polysubstance use
• Stay calm and professional while working with patients displaying difficult behaviors, including during volatile situations
• Safely de-escalate patients in crisis using proven therapeutic techniques
• Apply mental illness recovery principles to guide treatment planning and patient engagement
• Notice and interpret changes in patient behavior and abilities to inform care
• Share information clearly and respectfully with patients, families, and staff
• Use electronic health records and other technology to document care and track progress

Interested? Apply today!

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact DSHS Recruiterand reference 00667.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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