DSHS WSH Psychologist 4: Sex Offense Treatment Provider
Join us at the forefront of transforming healthcare! The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) within WA State’s Department of Social and Health Services is seeking a dedicated Psychologist 4: Sex Offense Treatment Provider to join our team at Western State Hospital (WSH) in Lakewood, WA. As one of the largest psychiatric inpatient hospitals west of the Mississippi River, this pivotal role will help us provide treatment, consultation, and evaluation services for this specialized area of mental health. This role will also be a key member in supporting the development of our new sex offense treatment program slated to launch in the summer of 2025.
As a Sex Offense Treatment Provider, you’ll utilize evidenced-based approaches to evaluation and assessment, to include following professional guidelines and statutory requirements in assessing risk. As part of the process, you will review records, which could include treatment notes, evaluations, police reports, and victim statements, in addition to interviewing patients and consulting with treatment team staff and other stakeholders. Your recommendations will help inform discharge planning and work to support a safe transition plan for both the patient and the community.
Your expertise will also extend to providing psychological consultation to staff, offering guidance on psychiatric disorders, treatments, and care strategies, as well facilitating work between contracted providers who currently provide sex offense treatment. You may provide sex offense treatment or other treatment interventions related to sexually problematic behavior, including providing recommendations to treatment teams.
Within this role, you will participate in and present bulletins to the End of Sentence Review Committee, and will be the formal representative and voting member for WSH, once training requirements have been met. Involvement with this committee will also provide opportunities to learn and collaborate with many agencies within WA state. Additionally, once established, you will chair the Sex Offense Review and Referral Team, which will be responsible for overseeing the review process for patients with a history of sex offenses or problematic sexual behavior.
More broadly, this role will also help to support BHA efforts to provide trauma-informed care and champion equity, diversity, access, and inclusion across all facets of work, emphasizing employee engagement, patient care, provider relations, and community partnerships.
In this role, you will:
- Evaluate and testify for individuals who are criminally and civilly committed, following RCWs 10.77 and 71.05 which would include conducting risk assessments, preparing comprehensive forensic evaluation reports, and defending your findings in court, if needed.
- Provide consultation to treatment teams on individuals with sexual offenses, to include discussion of risk, risk mitigation, and protective factors.
- Conduct assessments related to sexually problematic behaviors.
- Track and manage caseload for patients with sex offenses, monitoring for notifications needed, presentation for leveling, and supporting risk mediation measures.
- Conduct evaluations for civil commitment, conditional release, and less restrictive orders.
- Provide court with petitions, affidavits, letters, or other required documentation.
- Provide expert testimony in support of psycho-legal opinions regarding diagnosis, grounds for commitment, and placement readiness under direct & cross-examination, relying on established psychological principles, facts, and functional data.
- Conduct psychological assessments as assigned; prepare comprehensive psychological assessment reports.
- Treatment Team consultation as necessary.
- Participate in and present cases to the End of Sentence Review Committee.
Who should apply
We are seeking professionals who:
- Hold a Doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of clinical psychology.
- Are Licensed or eligible to obtain a license in Washington to practice psychology by hire date AND
- Bring at least three years of post-doctoral psychology experience, including one year of experience supervising other professionals.
- Experience working with forensic patients and/or experience with individuals who have committed sexual offenses and/or struggle with sexually problematic behavior.
- Certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider is desired.
- Have working knowledge of static and dynamic risk factors, protective factors, approaches to treatment and assessment, and the Risk Need Responsivity considerations, as it pertains to individuals with sexual offenses.
To Apply
- CV
- Cover letter
The location
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.
As the second-largest city in Pierce County, Lakewood presents the ideal place to live, work, play, and be a part of a community. Lakewood is a diverse city with many cultural events.
Right outside of Tacoma, Lakewood is conveniently located between Seattle and Olympia, offering easy access to city life. Lakewood is home to dozens of tranquil parks and lakes and natural wonders such as Mt. Rainier are just a few hours away. Outdoor activities are especially plentiful given the area's natural beauty and its four seasons. No matter if you love city life or nature, Lakewood has it all.
To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov. See why people like you chose careers with DSHS.
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.
Interested or Questions? Please attach or send a resume or CV to Jourdan Kovacs at Jourdan.Kovacs@dshs.wa.gov. If you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact Jourdan by email or phone (360) 995-2275 and reference 03595.
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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