DSHS ESH Psychology Associate

Full Job Description

At Eastern State Hospital, we work with people who are facing serious mental health challenges. Many of our patients experience conditions that can make daily life difficult and sometimes unsafe—for themselves and for others. They come to us for stability, understanding, and care.

As a Psychology Associate, you will be part of the Behavior Management Team, a group that partners with ESH treatment teams to provide consultation and support for complex patient cases.

You will receive referrals from wards, review patient history and current treatment plan, consult with the treatment team, assign work to Behavioral Management Specialists, provide recommendations to treatment teams and offer additional support and services to wards if warranted.

You will supervise a team of Behavior Management Specialists that will supplement your work by conducting observations, collecting data, and providing coaching, mentoring, and modeling for direct care staff on the treatment wards.

This role is about using your training and judgment to bring a fresh perspective to patient cases, offering new angles for treatment teams to pursue, with the goal of helping patients make progress towards treatment goals, stabilize, and reach their maximum potential.

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.

Some more of what you will do

• Receive referrals from treatment teams.
• Review records, complete assessments, and maintain documentation that supports patient care.
• Collaborate with ward treatment teams consisting of doctors, nurses, Psychologists, Social workers, and other staff to identify needs, provide recommendations, and develop treatment strategies.
• Collaborate with treatment teams in developing behavioral plans that address referral patients’ specific behavioral needs.
• Assign work to Behavioral Health Specialists including records review, observations, and coach, model, mentoring and other assignments.
• Supervise Behavioral Health Specialists by hiring, training, and evaluating their work.
• Take part in professional development and ongoing training to strengthen skills.
• Contribute to hospital and team meetings where care approaches are reviewed and adjusted.

Who should apply?

• Professionals with a master's degree in Psychology, Social Work or Behavioral Health Counseling from an accredited school or department of psychology.
  AND
• Registration as a WA State Agency Affiliated Counselor or professional licensure in the State of Washington

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

• Clinical knowledge – Understanding of mental illness, recovery principles, and trauma-informed treatment.
• Collaboration – Experience working with multidisciplinary teams to support patient care.
• Communication – Ability to share information clearly with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Leadership – Skill in supervising staff and providing constructive feedback.
• Assessment skills – Ability to evaluate complex situations and recommend appropriate interventions.
• Adaptability – Capacity to respond effectively in high-acuity, fast-changing environments.
• Professionalism – Commitment to maintaining safety, ethical standards, and patient dignity.
• Crisis response – Training in de-escalation and advanced crisis intervention techniques.

Who we are:
Want to know more about Eastern State Hospital? Click on the videos below to meet staff, take a tour, and explore your career.


Interested? Apply today!

Questions? Please contact recruiter Alex Baclaan at Alex.baclaan@dshs.wa.gov and reference project number 02999.

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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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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