Director of Behavioral Health HQ

Director of Behavioral Health

WA State Department of Corrections

Tumwater, WA.

Annual salary: $138,941 to $203,818

The Director of Behavioral Health is the highest-level Psychologist in the Department of Corrections (DOC) and is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, clinically appropriate, and timely mental health treatment services to the entire DOC population. This position designs and implements the behavioral health service delivery model consistent with the DOC Health Plan and all applicable policies.

As the agency expert in correctional behavioral health care, the incumbent ensures services comply with relevant laws and meet or exceed community standards of care. DOC is an industry leader in specialized health services, including gender affirming care and traumatic brain injury services, supporting individuals with both acute and chronic behavioral health needs. This position collaborates closely with other Health Services leaders to design and implement an integrated model of care, such as a Patient Centered Medical Home model.

The incumbent serves as the agency leader for the design and delivery of a comprehensive behavioral health system. This includes both strategic and operational decision-making to ensure effective management of services for individuals with behavioral health needs. The Director ensures that behavioral health staff provide services in accordance with agency policy and the DOC Health Plan and designates a Mental Health Lead for each facility.

The incumbent provides clinical and administrative guidance to Regional Chief Psychologists, the facility Mental Health Leads, and frontline Mental Health staff to support effective management of services at each facility. They are a partner to the Chief of Psychiatry. Decisions regarding hiring, contracting, and evaluation of these clinical leaders are shared with the respective appointing authorities.

• In collaboration with behavioral health leadership and other key leaders, design and refine the model of care for individuals receiving behavioral health services within DOC. This model includes integration with other Health Services disciplines under a Patient Centered Medical Home framework.
• Develop and implement a statewide plan for operationalizing the model of care through facility behavioral health leaders.
• Make final clinical treatment decisions when necessary.
• Chair Care Review Committees to determine levels of care and treatment recommendations.
• Serve as the DOC subject matter expert in behavioral health system design internally and externally, including legislative hearings, litigation, and committee presentations.
• Build and maintain a network of support and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Develop, write, and update all mental health–related policies and protocols, including: 630.500 Mental Health Services, 630.550 Suicide Prevention and Response, 630.540 Involuntary Medication Administration, and 320.265 Close Observation Areas.
• Provide subject matter expertise for related policies, including 610.040 Health Screenings and Assessments and 610.010 Patient Consent for Health Care, and other behavioral health–related policies.
• Ensure agency behavioral health policies align with relevant case law and professional and ethical standards.

• Appropriate screening to identify individuals with behavioral health needs and suicide risk.
• Timely assessments and individualized treatment plans consistent with agency policy.
• Evidence-based scope and modalities of care aligned with national standards and supported by clinical supervision and continuous quality improvement.
• Develop…