DSHS ESH Chief Medical Officer

Salary: $387,180.00 Annually
Location : Spokane County - Medical Lake, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Job Number: 2026-00130
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: BHHA
Opening Date: 05/26/2026
Closing Date: 6/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Chief Medical Officer - Eastern State Hospital
We are in search of a self-motivated, forward-thinking physician to fill a vital leadership role in which their passion for partnering with people who need access to care, and support is displayed every day.

At (ESH), our Chief Medical Officer will thrive in a collaborative, inclusive, and psychologically safe environment. Here, high-quality, patient-focused care is our mission.


ESH is a 375-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital accredited by The(TJC) and certified by the federal (CMS). The hospital opened in 1891 in picturesque Medical Lake, Washington.

ESH provides long-term psychiatric care to adult civil, forensic, geriatric and habilitative mental health patients.

The CMO plans, organizes, controls and evaluates all clinical administrative components to assure a supportive environment toward the delivery of the highest quality of services. They will be required to supervise a senior medical leadership team and provide clinical and administrative directions to all medical and clinical medical services staff.


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.

Located 15 miles west of downtown - Washington's second largest city - it and a host of other suburban communities offer ideal places to live, play, and work. Outdoor activities are especially plentiful given the area's natural beauty and its four seasons.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Innovative Leader : Responsible and accountable for the administration and coordination of psychiatric and medical services and provide consultation on clinical matters related to nursing, rehabilitation, and other professional services. Direct and coordinate the administration of all psychiatric and medical services by conducting supervisory meetings and unit rounds, reviewing reports to ensure appropriate use of resources, and designating staff assignments to meet the goals of ESH.
• Strategic Partner : Collaborate with executive and senior leadership teams to meet organizational goals and to optimize processes and services delivered. Perform leadership and executive duties in planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and directing and evaluating clinical and professional services.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the strategic direction for ESH. Ensure the strategic direction is articulated to medical staff and effectively delegates key activities to ensure timely execution of the strategic goals and objectives. Direct program development and implementation of all medical and psychiatric initiatives.
• Talent Developer : Lead the transformation of clinical leadership into collaborative, high-performing teams. Supervise all clinical and professional services activities through subordinate physicians and provide leadership and guidance in matters related to medical and clinical management for patients.
• Data-Driven Visionary : Utilize technology and data to build strong relationships and foster continuous performance improvement in support of the state's mental health service delivery system by working collaboratively with key leaders and administrators from the BHOs.
• Align hospital clinical practices in accordance with all applicable policies for internal consistency of data reporting systems.
• Collaborative Physician Executive : Assures that specific medical department goals, objectives, standards, policies, and procedures are congruent with the standards and requirements of certification bodies relative to the best possible safe, quality patient care.
• Ensure the Medical Department's compliance with regulations, laws, procedures, and policies including relevant Department of Health regulations, Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Washington Administrative Code (WAC), professional standards of practice, and DSHS/BHHA/ESH policies.

Occasional travel between facilities and headquarters.

Office-based but also required to circulate throughout the facility for activities such as rounding, case conferences, supervision of care delivery and communication of executive leadership policies and information. These activities require visiting patient units where there is potential for assaults and violence.

Who should apply:

Professionals with a valid license to practice medicine and surgery in the state of Washington including Certification in General Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and demonstrated medical executive leadership experience.

Want to know more about Eastern State Hospital? Click on the videos below to meet staff, take a tour, and explore your career.
Interested? Please list three professional references and contact information on your application and include your current CV for this leadership role.


Questions? Email:Jourdan Kovacs at View email address on click.appcast.io , reference 00130. To learn more about DSHS, go to .

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

Supplemental Information


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 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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More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026