Chief Clinical Officer

This is your chance to shape psychiatric care for Washington's most vulnerable youth.

Child Study and Treatment Center (CSTC) is Washington's only state-operated psychiatric hospital for children and youth – and they're looking for a clinical leader ready to make a lasting difference.

Located on a spacious campus in Lakewood and operated by DSHS's Behavioral Health Administration, CSTC serves youth ages 5-17 with severe emotional and behavioral disorders, often complicated by medical, social, legal, and developmental challenges. Youth live in one of four age-specific cottages for an average of 10-12 months, receiving culturally competent, evidence-based care from an interdisciplinary team of psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, recreational therapists, and psychiatric child care counselors – all united by a shared commitment to the kids they serve.

As Chief Clinical Officer, you'll provide executive-level oversight of clinical programming across those four cottages, each currently operating uniquely for the population being served. This position has oversight to our Substance Use Disorder program and Psychology evaluators forensics clinic. Your mission: bring consistency, accountability, and a unified clinical vision across all of these areas – while managing the fast-moving priorities of a 24/7 facility.

This role is for a leader who thrives in ambiguity, builds trust quickly, and knows how to align people and systems toward a common goal.

This is a Monday-Friday day shift role with up two days of remote work per week availability, a starting salary ranging from $159,000 - $164,895 plus a 5% facility premium pay, and an Orca Card for Pierce County transportation.

This position is classified as WMS3.

Who Should Apply

• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or PhD in Psychology
• Active Washington State license to practice psychology
• Five years of direct treatment experience with individuals with severe behavioral health conditions in a psychiatric hospital setting
• Demonstrated success in supervising clinical staff and budget management
• Proven track record of leading organizational change

Some of What You'll Do

• Clinical Oversight: oversee treatment and programming across CSTC's psychiatric wards and four residential cottages. Supervise Psychology, Social Work, Treatment/Rehabilitative Services, and the Behavioral Management Team.
• Executive Partnership: collaborate closely with the CEO, Chief Medical Officer, and internal and external stakeholders to maintain quality patient care standards. Standardize evaluation and treatment evidence-based practices across the hospital.
• Quality & Compliance: lead all clinical based quality assurance activities to meet Joint Commission, CMS, and Washington State licensing standards. Manage personnel investigations, incident reports, and patient rights concerns.
• Organizational Leadership: drive short and long-term goal-setting. Champion accountability systems and performance measures tailored to each cottage. Support discharge prioritization and cross-division collaboration.

What We're Looking For

Beyond Your Credentials, You Bring

• Sound judgment and independent problem-solving – you balance competing priorities without losing sight of long-term goals
• Clear, confident communication that builds trust across clinical, nursing, and executive teams
• Composure in crisis – you lead with focus and professionalism under pressure
• Working knowledge of evidence-based practices (CBT, DBT, trauma-focused approaches) in a youth inpatient setting
• Experience in a collective bargaining environment
• Familiarity with DSHS policies, Washington State licensing standards, WACs, and applicable statutes

How to Apply

If this sounds like the role you've been working toward, we want to hear from you. Submit your:

• Resume
• Letter of interest highlighting your relevant experience

Questions?

Email ***email_hidden*** and reference job number 03519.

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 a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, 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 (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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