DSHS CSTC Chief Clinical Officer

This is your chance to shape psychiatric care for Washington's most vulnerable youth. The Child Study and Treatment Center (CSTC) is Washington's only state-operated psychiatric hospital for children and youth, located on a spacious campus in Lakewood. 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.

As Chief Clinical Officer, you will provide executive‑level oversight of clinical programming across the four cottages, oversee the Substance Use Disorder program and the Psychology Evaluation and Forensics Clinic, and bring consistency, accountability, and a unified clinical vision to all areas while managing the fast‑moving priorities of a 24/7 facility.

• Provide executive‑level oversight of clinical programming across all residential cottages and inpatient units, ensuring consistent, evidence‑based care.
• Supervise interdisciplinary clinical staff, manage quality and compliance activities to meet Joint Commission, CMS, and Washington State licensing standards, and oversee incident reporting and patient rights concerns.
• Lead organizational change initiatives, set short‑ and long‑term goals, champion accountability systems, and support discharge prioritization and cross‑division collaboration.

• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or PhD in Psychology with an active Washington State license to practice psychology.
• At least five years of direct treatment experience with individuals with severe behavioral health conditions in a psychiatric hospital setting.
• Demonstrated success supervising clinical staff and managing budgets.
• Proven track record of leading organizational change and driving performance measures.
• Sound judgment and independent problem‑solving skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining long‑term focus.
• Clear, confident communication that builds trust across clinical, nursing, and executive teams.
• Composure in crisis, leading with focus and professionalism under pressure.
• Working knowledge of evidence‑based practices such as CBT, DBT, and 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.

Monday‑Friday day shift with up to two days of remote work per week. Starting salary ranging from $159,000 to $164,895 plus a 5% facility premium pay. Orca Card for Pierce County transportation.

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 or 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 or 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 may contact the recruiter at . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7‑1‑1 or 1‑800‑833‑6384.