DSHS WSH Therapies Supervisor

State of Washington; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ORCA transit card

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) seeks a Therapies Supervisor for Western State Hospital in Lakewood, WA. You will lead Behavioral Health Specialists delivering habilitative therapy, guiding staff, coordinating care, and ensuring compliant documentation in a fast-paced psychiatric setting.

This is a day-shift, on-site role with potential for a 5% premium pay. Consideration for ORCA transit card may apply for Pierce County employees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree involving major study in occupational therapy, physical therapy, hospital recreation, manual arts, vocational counseling, or psychiatric social work.
• Five years of professional experience in a therapy program, including two years in administration and direction of professional staff.
• OR nine years of professional experience in a therapy program, including two years in administration and direction of professional staff.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Behavioral Health Specialists and assign work schedules.
• Train staff in therapeutic and behavioral intervention techniques.
• Model therapeutic interactions and provide ongoing coaching and support.
• Identify and address barriers that impact treatment effectiveness.
• Promote clear communication within the Behavioral Management Team.
• Ensure staff complete required documentation and program reporting.
• Provide training and consultation to ward treatment teams when needed.
• Collect and review patient response data to support treatment planning.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Coaching

Therapeutic interventions

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

5 years therapy program experience with 2 years in admin/leadership

Master’s degree substitute for 2 years of non-admin experience

Tools

None

Job description

Leadership matters here. Every shift.

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is seeking a Therapies Supervisor to join the Habilitative Mental Health Team at Western State Hospital (WSH), one of Washington's state psychiatric hospitals.

In this role, you will lead Behavioral Health Specialists who provide structured behavioral and clinical support to patients with complex psychiatric and developmental needs. Many patients supported by the Habilitative Mental Health program experience serious mental illness alongside developmental or behavioral support needs, requiring consistent therapeutic programming and structured interventions.

Strong supervisors in this role create stability for both staff and patients. Your leadership helps ensure therapy services are consistent, effective, and focused on helping patients build practical life skills, stabilize behavior, and move closer to successful treatment outcomes.

This position works day shift. Positions performed on-site may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary. Employees working in Pierce County may also be eligible to receive an ORCA card for public transportation needs.

What You’ll Accomplish

• Leading and supervising Behavioral Health Specialists who deliver habilitative therapy services
• Coaching staff in therapeutic interventions and behavioral support strategies
• Supporting patients in developing skills that promote safety, independence, and community readiness
• Identifying barriers to treatment interventions and collaborating with teams to address them
• Strengthening communication and coordination within the Behavioral Management Team
• Ensuring documentation and program requirements are completed accurately and on time
• Providing consultation and micro-training to treatment teams on behavioral strategies
• Using patient response data to evaluate and improve therapeutic interventions

The Team

The Habilitative Mental Health program provides structured behavioral support for patients receiving treatment at Western State Hospital. The team collaborates closely with interdisciplinary treatment staff to support individuals who may experience significant psychiatric and behavioral challenges. Consistent leadership and clear communication are essential to maintaining effective therapeutic programming.

Work Location

This position is fully on-site at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Washington. Due to the supervisory and clinical nature of the role, telework is not available.

Who Should Apply

A bachelor's degree involving major study in occupational therapy, physical therapy, hospital recreation, manual arts, vocational counseling, or psychiatric social work
AND
Five years of professional experience in a therapy program, including two years in administration and direction of professional staff.
OR
Nine years of professional experience in a therapy program, including two years in administration and direction of professional staff.

Notes:

• A master's degree in the areas of study listed above will substitute for two years of non-administrative experience.
• Occupational therapy majors must possess registration with the National Registry of Occupational Therapy; physical therapy majors must possess a certificate of registration issued upon the recommendation of the Washington State Examining Committee of Physical Therapists.

Backgrounds That Often Succeed in This Role

• Leading therapy, rehabilitation, or behavioral health programs
• Supervising staff providing patient or client skill-building services
• Working with individuals with behavioral health, developmental, or psychiatric needs
• Coaching staff on therapeutic or behavioral interventions

Some of what you’ll do:

• Supervise Behavioral Health Specialists and assign work schedules
• Train staff in therapeutic and behavioral intervention techniques
• Model therapeutic interactions and provide ongoing coaching and support
• Identify and address barriers that impact treatment effectiveness
• Promote clear communication within the Behavioral Management Team
• Ensure staff complete required documentation and program reporting
• Provide training and consultation to ward treatment teams when needed
• Collect and review patient response data to support treatment planning
• Complete required trainings and maintain program compliance

Questions about this opportunity?

Please contact Grant Grady at [e-mail] and reference project number 07268.

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.

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 (Nebotism) 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.