DSHS WSH Psychology Associate

About the role

Western State Hospital’s Gage Center for Forensic Excellence is hiring for a Forensic Psychology Associate to join the Competency Restoration (Comp Rest) program. This program is under review and evolving, offering opportunities for systemic and programmatic improvements, challenges, and rewards.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement group treatment interventions for competency restoration patients.
• Therapeutically engage with patients.
• Provide individual and/or group treatment daily using evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Participate in ongoing literature review of current treatment interventions for use with severely mentally ill patients.
• Conduct psychological testing.
• Complete assessments of violence and/or suicidal risk.
• Collaborate with colleagues to plan treatment in accordance with hospital and CMS guidelines.
• Complete required documentation according to professional, hospital, and federal standards.
• Provide court testimony (where applicable).

Requirements

• A master's or doctoral degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, school psychology, or marriage and family therapy from an accredited school.
• Within 30 days of hire, a certification as an Agency Affiliated Counselor in the State of Washington must be obtained or an active WA State license as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Qualifications

• Preferably two or more years of post-graduate experience providing psychotherapy, ideally with forensic or inpatient populations.
• Formal training in modalities such as motivational interviewing, CBT, and DBT to guide treatment.
• Ability to administer, score, and interpret psychological and forensic tools to inform safety and treatment planning.
• Willingness to contribute to program changes and continuous improvement efforts.
• Skill in developing conceptualizations and tailoring treatment approaches based on clinical and legal data.
• Understanding of court decisions, and state and federal laws related to the civil and criminal commitment of individuals with mental illness.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when consulting or testifying.

Skills

• Adaptability – Willingness to contribute to program changes and continuous improvement efforts.
• Case formulation – Skill in developing conceptualizations and tailoring treatment approaches based on clinical and legal data.
• Legal knowledge – Understanding of court decisions, and state and federal laws related to the civil and criminal commitment of individuals with mental illness.
• Professional communication – Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when consulting or testifying.

Benefits

• 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 receive a free Orca card for transportation needs.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000 annually.

Schedule

Full-time position, working at least three days a week on-site.