Job Description

Posting number: 2026-01979

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: BHHA

Job classification: PSYCHOLOGIST 4

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Mental Health, Medical

Summary

Eastern State Hospital, in Medical Lake, WA, has opportunities for Psychologists to join our highly dedicated team and work closely with our clinical teams and courts. Eastern State Hospital is a fully accredited, psychiatric inpatient, state-owned hospital with the Department of Social and Health Services.

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.

Primary Priorities:

• Provide individual and group psychotherapy to support patients' treatment goals designed to empower patients, instill hope, and support self-discovery and independence
• Provide consultation to multidisciplinary treatment teams
• Complete psychological assessments along with supporting clinical documentation
• Provide court-required documentation and expert testimony (as needed)

We have opportunities in the specialized areas below:

Civil and Forensic Hybrid Ward: This ESH Psychologist provides services to patients committed to ESH as not guilty by reason of insanity or committed on a long-term basis via Washington’s Involuntary Treatment Act. The psychologist assigned to this ward provides the full range of psychological services including individual and group therapy, psychological assessment, behavior management, and consultation. The psychologist in this role also assists the treatment team in assessing risk for community integration, provides information to the hospital Risk Review Board, and consultation to the courts to assist in determining suitability for increased community access.

• Discharge Consultation and Involuntary Treatment Act Evaluator: The psychologist in this role provides structured risk assessments using empirically validated tools for patients approaching discharge readiness to assist treatment teams in determining if the patient continues to present with likelihood of serious harm. This psychologist is also responsible for completing evaluations of patients after a finding of incompetency to stand trial to determine eligibility for continued involuntary treatment pursuant to Washington’s Involuntary Treatment Act.

Who should apply:

• A Doctor of Psychology (Ph.D./Psy.D.) in clinical or forensic psychology from an accredited university;
• Licensed or eligible to obtain a license in Washington to practice psychology by hire date;
• Will consider applicants with completed Ph.D./PsyD. pursuing licensure; and
• Experience with inpatient civil and forensic populations and/or people with severe behavioral health issues.

In-Training Opportunity

This job is eligible as a 12-month In-Training position allowing those with a doctorate degree, but not yet fully licensed to apply. The successful applicant will have up to 12 months to become fully licensed as a Psychologist and demonstrate they have satisfactorily achieved the in-training objectives.

What makes Eastern an employer of choice for Psychologists:

• One of the biggest benefits unique about public service is that we are not driven by production; this allows our Psychologists the ability to truly focus on providing exceptional evidence-based care
• The clinical autonomy and encouragement from our leadership inspire our Psychologists to be innovative with a person-centered approach
• Excellent compensation package from Day One with outstanding family benefits, a generous retirement plan, and other incentives that we would love to discuss with you
• DSHS provides support staff and covers all operating expenses
• You will experience a quality work-life balance working Monday through Friday, with no on-call requirements
• Opportunities for alternative and hybrid work schedules available after completing the initial 6 month probationary period

The location

As Washington's second-largest city, Spokane presents the ideal place to live, work, play, and be a part of a community. Spokane is a progressive city with outgoing and friendly people. Outdoor activities are especially plentiful given the area's natural beauty and its four seasons. No matter if you love city life or nature, Spokane has it all.

A vibrant city, downtown Spokane is amongst the healthiest in the nation, exuding urban character and offering a top-notch quality of life, such as affordable cost of living, five ski resorts within 1.5 hours of downtown, dozens of lakes within an hour of downtown, and hundreds within 2 hours, five universities and lively arts, music, and theater scene.

Want to know more about Eastern State Hospital? Click on the videos below to meet staff, take a tour, and explore your career. To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov.

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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.

Questions? Please contact sean.brauner@dshs.wa.gov and reference #01979.

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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