DSHS ESH Behavior Management Team Director

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has an amazing opportunity for you to join our highly dedicated team at Eastern State Hospital (ESH) in Medical Lake WA. We are currently seeking a Behavior Management Team (BMT) Director. The Behavior Management Team is a multidisciplinary team that provides short-term consultation to referring ward treatment teams, which focuses on supporting treatment teams whose patients have high levels of aggressive, assaultive, or other challenging behaviors.

As the BMT Director, you will be responsible for providing direction, planning, organizing and administration of operations that occurs in the wards. This work is vital to keep ESH operating smoothly and efficiently day to day.

Some of what you'll do:

• Strategically directs, plans, develops and provides leadership and management for the multidisciplinary BMT operations and service delivery
• Ensures completion of ward referral process
• Assigns BMT resources to respond to requests and schedule necessary meetings
• Responds to referral for BMT services from leadership and works with the identified ward to address concerns
• Ensures the BMT's consultation services align with ESH policies and procedures as well as state and federal regulations
• Provides staff supervision to direct reports
• Collects and reports various data points

What we're looking for:

• Obtain and maintain basic Life Support/CPR Certification
• Obtain and maintain certification in Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
• Competency in the use of required evidence-based practices and de-escalation techniques
• In-depth working knowledge of group and individual behavior, dynamics and clinical intervention
• Exceptional ability to work with difficult and angry patients in a therapeutic and nonthreatening manner
• Effective data system collection, analysis and presentation skills
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary staff with various levels of authority
• Project management skills

Who should apply?

A Doctoral degree in behavioral science (Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Education with a behavioral science core curriculum, etc.) and five years of experience working in a psychiatric facility or community behavioral health setting with patients exhibiting aggressive behaviors

OR

A master's degree in behavioral science (Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Education with a behavioral science core curriculum, etc.) and nine years of experience working in a psychiatric facility or community behavioral health setting with patients exhibiting aggressive behaviors

OR

A bachelor's degree in behavioral science (Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Education with a behavioral science core curriculum, etc.) and eleven years of experience working in a psychiatric facility or community behavioral health setting with patients exhibiting aggressive behaviors

AND

Three years of supervisory experience

Upon hire, obtain and maintain a Counselor Agency Affiliated Registered credential (at minimum), or licensure as a Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and. Family Therapist or Independent Clinical Social Worker (or equivalent) is preferred.

Want to know more about Eastern State Hospital? Click on the videos below to meet staff, take a tour, and explore your career. To learn more about DSHS, go to

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.

Questions? Please contact and reference #08148.

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 Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or

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