DSHS WSH Forensic Psychologist

DSHS WSH Forensic Psychologist

State of Washington, Western State Hospital – Gage Center of Forensic Services (CFS) is seeking a forensic psychologist. This position offers a meaningful career in forensics with room to grow, job stability, consultation opportunities, and multidisciplinary teamwork. You will work with severely behavioral ill patients.

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.

• Therapeutically engage with patients
• Consult with the team and other stakeholders regarding patient care, practices, and procedures
• 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

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 the EPPP in WA state or have passed the EPPP and applied for licensure in WA state.

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• Three professional references with current contact information

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, or 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.

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. Benefits include medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance; flexible spending accounts; long‑term disability; retirement plans through the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS);
Protected Deferred Compensation Program (DCP); holiday, sick leave, vacation and family medical leave. Details are available on the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.

Questions about 00083? Contact Jourdan.

Kovacs.gov

Entry level

Full‑time

Health Care Provider

Government Administration