DSHS ESH Psychology Associate

State of Washington•Spokane County - Medical Lake, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join our team at Eastern State Hospital as a Psychology Associate working in our Forensic Competency Restoration Unit. The Psychology Associate-Competency Restoration (CR) Therapist works with an interdisciplinary team to provide a schedule of therapeutic groups that meet the needs of a diverse population. The Psychology Associate-CR Therapist facilitates daily group and individual therapy working with patients of a variety of diagnoses and presentations. You will plan and implement restoration of competency to stand trial programs and participate in planning ward and unit programs. We offer job stability, a meaningful career, and job satisfaction. This job belongs to the Psychology Associate job class. 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.

Requirements

Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work or Behavioral Health Counseling from an accredited school or department of psychology.
Registration as a WA State Agency Affiliated Counselor or professional licensure in the State of Washington
A passion for working with people with severe and persistent behavioral health conditions
Ability to see value in small successes.
Ability to be creative, flexible, and innovative in group development and implementation.
Clinical knowledge – Understanding of mental illness, recovery principles, and trauma-informed treatment.
Assessment skills – Ability to evaluate complex situations and recommend appropriate interventions.
Crisis response – Training in de-escalation and advanced crisis intervention techniques.
Collaboration – Experience working with multidisciplinary teams to support patient care.
Communication – Ability to share information clearly with patients, families, and colleagues.
Adaptability – Capacity to respond effectively in high-acuity, fast-changing environments.
Professionalism – Commitment to maintaining safety, ethical standards, and patient dignity.

Nice To Haves

Experience facilitating psycho-educational or other therapeutic treatment groups
Experience working with individuals with severe and persistent behavioral health disorders
Experience working within a forensic mental health system

Responsibilities

Primarily provide group-based therapies aimed at restoring an individual’s competency to stand trial through evidence-based interventions (minimum 6 per week).
Treatment interventions target barriers to adjudicative competency including deficits in courtroom knowledge, capacity to communicate productively with an attorney, and capacity to make rational legal decisions.
Opportunities to provide individual therapies on those topics are also available.
Implement the “Breaking Barriers” competency restoration curriculum.
Document patient progress toward treatment goals and make recommendations to treatment teams.
Work with the unit Psychologist who serves as the primary clinical supervisor for the Psychology Associate.
Work with other groups and committees assigned to make recommendations for improvements to support program goals and objectives.