Salary : $119,460.00 - $160,692.00 Annually
Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Various Job Types
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: BHHA
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 9/29/2026 8:59 AM Pacific

Description

DSHS WSH Psychologist

Join our dedicated team as a Psychologist at Western State Hospital (WSH). We have multiple positions available in our Civil Ward for Psychologists.

This is an ideal environment to use your psychological expertise in evaluation and treatment to make an integral contribution towards safe and positive outcomes for staff and patients. Cases here are frequently complex and require staff to work as a team. The diversity of the patient population and the variety of job assignments keeps the work interesting. We are not for profit and are motivated by the desire to serve our patients.

Look forward to a collegial work environment and becoming an integral member of an essential team of Psychologists dedicated to promoting recovery and well-being in partnership with the people we serve. This is an opportunity to gain insight into and experience with severe mental illness and the recovery process at one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in the United States.

Benefits include job security, a comprehensive medical benefits package, a pension plan, and opportunities for both lateral moves and advancement. You'll also have the support of a manager who stands up for you and all her employees. There is much more offered, let's talk.

Psychologists at Western State provide assessment, evaluation, treatment, consultation, program management, and clinical leadership.

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.

Duties may include:

• Provide psychological services and behavioral programming on a civil commitment ward for adult patients.
• Develop specific behavioral treatment programs, consulting with staff to ensure consistent approaches to patient care.
• Provide clinical oversight of the ward program, individual and group therapy, treatment planning, assessment, and training of staff.
• Provide psychological and risk evaluations.
• Attend and participate in the treatment team, psychology department, and other collaborative meetings.
• Participate in forensic work including conducting evaluations for civil commitment, conditional release, and less restrictive orders, establishing diagnoses, and providing the court with expert testimony and written petitions, affidavits, letters or other required documentation.

What we're looking for:

• A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD).
• In-training positions are available for unlicensed applicants with doctoral degrees. You must be approved to take EPPP in WA state or have passed EPPP and applied for licensure in WA state
• Professional experience working with patients with severe mental illness, preferably in an in-patient setting.
• Knowledge and experience using a variety of behavioral interventions is preferable.
• Forensic experience is preferable.
• Demonstrated ability to form therapeutic relationships with people who have psychiatric disabilities.
• Ability to provide evidence-based psychological programming, conduct evidenced-based group and individual therapies, apply principles of mental illness recovery, develop effective treatment and behavior plans, provide expert testimony, and establish collegial relationships with multidisciplinary treatment team members.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Collegial, affable, and broad-minded team member open to learning and personal growth.

To Apply-

1. Completed Application
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact Grant Grady at and reference project number 07656.

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.

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