DSHS ESH Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Full Job Description

Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Eastern State Hospital

We are in search of a self-motivated, forward-thinking professional to fill a vital leadership role in which their passion for partnering with people who need access to care, and support is displayed every day.

At Eastern State Hospital (ESH), our Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) will thrive in a collaborative, inclusive, and psychologically safe environment. Here, high-quality, patient-focused care is our mission.

ESH is a 375-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The hospital opened in 1891 in picturesque Medical Lake, Washington.

ESH provides long-term psychiatric care to adult civil, forensic, geriatric and habilitative mental health patients.

The DCEO reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is accountable for providing executive and administrative leadership for the Eastern State Hospital campus, including Eastlake and Westlake campuses.

In close partnership with the CEO, the DCEO establishes and implements the strategic plan and ensures that internal governance, administration, personnel management, planning, policies, and systems enhance the Center's capability and capacity to deliver safe, quality patient care in a safe and healthy work environment.

This job is responsible for non-clinical hospital administration and executing the strategic direction that drives the operational goals of the hospital. As a strategic hospital administrator, the DCEO inspires individuals to pursue a shared vision and ensures goals and outcomes are attained.

Located 15 miles west of downtown Spokane– the state’s second largest city – it and a host of other suburban communities offer ideal places to live, play, and work. Outdoor activities are especially plentiful given the area's natural beauty and its four seasons.

Primary Responsibilities:

Innovative Leader: The DCEO is charged with the responsibility to provide the strategic and operational framework for the enterprise-wide efforts to address the behavioral healthcare workforce needs for the hospital.

Eastern State Hospital and all behavioral healthcare facilities in the area have encountered difficulties over the years in recruiting and retaining qualified, licensed, professional staff.

Therefore, the incumbent serves in a key role to develop and implement strategies to expand the workforce of qualified healthcare professionals for Eastern State Hospital and external partners with critical regional and statewide impact

Strategic Partner: Collaborate with executive and senior leadership teams to meet organizational goals and to optimize processes and services delivered. Perform leadership and executive duties in planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and directing and evaluating professional services.

Participate in the development and implementation of the strategic direction for ESH.

Ensure the strategic direction is articulated to staff and effectively delegates key activities to ensure timely execution of the strategic goals and objectives.

Direct program development and implementation of all operational initiatives.

Talent Developer: The DCEO is a highly effective and proactive leader in overseeing, directing, and guiding daily activities related to overall non-clinical hospital administration and personnel management toward the fulfillment of Eastern State Hospital's mission, vision, values and strategic objectives.

Data-Driven Visionary: Utilize technology and data to build strong relationships and foster continuous performance improvement in support of the state’s mental health service delivery system by working collaboratively with key leaders and administrators.

Occasional travel between facilities and headquarters.

Who should apply:

Professionals with the following are encouraged to apply:

Master of Health Administration, Social Services, or related field and a least seven years progressively responsible human services, hospital and/or institutional management experience in a large, complex and highly represented organization.

Consideration will be given to those with a Bachelor's degree in Health Administration or related field as well as nine years progressively responsible human services hospital and/or institutional management experience in a large, complex and highly represented organization.

Interested? Please list three professional references and contact information on your application and include your current CV for this leadership role.

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.


Questions about this opportunity? Please contact sean.brauner@dshs.wa.gov and reference #02392.

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.

Additional 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.

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