DSHS WSH Psychology Associate

DSHS WSH Psychology Associate (Sexual Offense & Behavior Associate) The Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA) within WA State’s Department of Social and Health Services is seeking a dedicated Psychology Associate 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. As a Sexual Offense & Behavior Associate, you’ll utilize evidence-based approaches to evaluation and assessment, including 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, and 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 work with the Psychologist 4: Sex Offender Treatment Provider to participate in and present bulletins to the End of Sentence Review Committee, and may become the formal representative and/or 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 be a member of the Sex Offense Review and Referral Team, 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 BHHA efforts to provide trauma‑informed care and champion equity, diversity, access, and inclusion across all facets of work. In this role, you will: Provide support and coverage across hospital centers to other ESRC‑assigned hospital representatives, as needed. Provide consultation to treatment teams on individuals with sexual offenses, including 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 6358 discharge reviews for individuals who meet criteria for the review based on a history of sexual violence, under supervision. Provide treatment to patients with sex offense histories, and/or referrals when determined by SORRT. Testify at court hearings/reviews and/or trials as deemed appropriate and necessary. Who should apply: Master’s degree or higher in psychology from an accredited school or department of psychology. Current mental health license to practice independently, without clinical supervision, in the State of Washington, OR an Agency Affiliated Counselor registration from the state of Washington is required. Experience working with forensic patients and/or experience with individuals who have committed sexual offenses and/or struggle with sexually problematic behavior. Working knowledge of static and dynamic risk factors, protective factors, approaches to treatment and assessment, and the Risk Needs Responsivity considerations, as it pertains to individuals with sexual offenses. Certification as an affiliate Sex Offender Treatment Provider or Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider is desired. 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. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or View phone number on click.appcast.io. 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