DSHS WSH Occupational Therapist 1

About the role

We have exciting opportunities for entry-level mental and behavioral health occupational therapists (OTs) to join our team at Western State Hospital. This is an ideal opportunity for OTs to expand their experience in providing occupational therapy and active treatment services to a population of patients with complex needs. You'll thrive and work to create new approaches for treatment. Full-time opportunities are available.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with patients and an interdisciplinary team to discuss treatment goals and implementation, monitors change and progress.
• Evaluates and treats patients with a variety of mental and behavioral health diagnoses to achieve maximum function.
• Assesses and provides treatment using OT evidence-based practice to patients in groups and/or 1:1s as needed.
• Completes cognitive OT assessments as needed.
• Reports clinical data in both written and oral form following policies and procedures.
• Updates treatment plans in a timely manner.
• Maintains service-related records; adheres to documentation expectations.
• Supervises occupational therapy assistant(s).
• Contributes to continuous quality improvement.
• Performs related duties as required.

What we're looking for

• Desire to work with patients who have mental and behavioral health diagnoses.
• Ability to handle stressful and sometimes challenging situations.
• Skill in documentation.
• Ability to comprehend, educate others, and grade treatments according to a patient's strengths and challenges.
• Knowledge of various treatment types and modalities using OT evidence-based practice.

Who should apply

Professionals who have completed an accredited occupational therapy program and who successfully completed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination and are licensed to practice OT in Washington State. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• On‑site work qualifies for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
• Retirement and benefits are ideal—supporting a long‑term career with a healthy work‑life balance.
• Variety of perks and a work environment that is not for profit and not driven by production, allowing focus on patient care.
• Clinical autonomy and encouragement from leadership to be creative and innovative in developing treatment and intervention strategies.
• Opportunity to experience a variety of therapeutic areas including cognitive evaluations and psychosocial group and individual treatment.
• Team collaboration among OT practitioners and other healthcare professionals supports continuous growth and professional development.
• Rapport and treatment built with patients that are impactful and meaningful.
• Sense of community and interaction with staff and patients.
• Commitment to fairness, access, and social justice; support for diverse 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.

Schedule

Full‑time opportunities are available.