DSHS WSH Forensic Psychologist

State of Washington; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% on-site premium pay

Orca Card transportation benefit

Job summary

Western State Hospital's Gage Center of Forensic Services is seeking Psychologists to lead and consult within our two forensic programs, with a focus on competency restoration and related forensic concerns.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, applying trauma-informed care principles and advancing evidence-based practices. Opportunities exist for professional development, teaching, and research activities.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Psychology from an accredited program.
• Preferably two years of doctoral experience in inpatient or forensic settings.
• Formal training in evidence-based treatment modalities or forensic/psychological testing.
• Required EPPP eligibility in WA state or licensure in WA.

Responsibilities

• Therapeutically engage with patients.
• Consult with the team regarding patient care and procedures.
• Provide psychoeducation and model leadership for staff.
• Complete violence and suicidal risk assessments.
• Implement evidence-based treatment practices.
• Conduct psychological testing.
• Provide court testimony where applicable.
• Complete documentation per professional, hospital, and CMS standards.

Skills

Forensic psychology

Court testimony

Psychoeducation

Risk assessment

Leadership

Multidisciplinary

Trauma-informed care

Testing

EPPP eligibility

Education

Doctoral degree in Psychology

Job description

Are you looking for a meaningful career in forensics with room to grow, job stability, consultation opportunities, and a chance to work within a multidisciplinary team? If you are passionate about working with severely behavioral ill patients, we have a spot for you! Check out Western State Hospital's Gage Center of Forensic Services (aka CFS), located on the historical Fort Steilacoom Campus and currently under expansion.

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. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

We're hiring motivated, enthusiastic candidates to work as Psychologists in either of two forensic programs under RCW 10.77 - Competency Restoration (Comp Rest) and Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). Both programs are under review and evolving, so if you're interested in systemic and programmatic improvements, challenges, and rewards, this is for you.

In either program, you will work with patients with complex, challenging, and diverse cases from a trauma-informed care approach. As a multidisciplinary team member, you will be a team lead and consultant, ensuring the team uses evidence-based treatment modalities and behavior management strategies.

Outside of typical work duties, there are opportunities to enhance your professional development and leadership skills, teach various disciplines about psychological concepts, develop and inform policy and standards of practice, obtain free continuing education units, join committees, supervise students, and conduct research. There is much more offered. Let's talk.

Some of what you will be doing (depending on the program):

• Therapeutically engage with patients
• Consulting with the team and other stakeholders regarding patient care, practices, and procedure
• Support non-medical and medical clinical staff by providing psychoeducation and appropriate modeling leadership
• Complete assessments of violence and suicidal risk
• Implement evidence-based treatment practices
• Conduct psychological testing
• Provide court testimony (where applicable)
• Complete required documentation according to professional, hospital, and CMS standards.

Who should apply?

Professionals with a Doctoral degree in Psychology from an accredited school or department of psychology and preferably two years of doctoral experience working in an inpatient or forensic setting with a severely behavioral ill population. Individuals with formal training in evidence-based treatment modalities or forensic/psychological testing are preferred.

In-training positions are available, but you must be approved to take EPPP in WA state or have passed EPPP and applied for licensure in WA state.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ 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.

Questions about 00083? Contact [e-mail]

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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 [phone]. 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 (Necipity) 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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