DSHS ESH Chief Medical Officer

Eastern State Hospital Chief Medical Officer Job Announcement

Job Title: Chief Medical Officer Job Type: Exempt Job Number: 2026-00130 Department: Department of Social and Health Services Division: Behavioral Health and Hearing Aid Services (BHHA) Location: Spokane County - Medical Lake, WA Announcement Date: January 6, 2026 Closing Date: January 20, 2026, 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description:

We are seeking a self-motivated, forward-thinking physician to fill a vital leadership role in which their passion for partnering with people who need access to care, and support is displayed every day. At Eastern State Hospital (ESH), our Chief Medical Officer will thrive in a collaborative, inclusive, and psychologically safe environment. Here, high-quality, patient-focused care is our mission.

About Eastern State Hospital:

ESH is a 375-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The hospital opened in 1891 in picturesque Medical Lake, Washington. ESH provides long-term psychiatric care to adult civil, forensic, geriatric, and habilitative mental health patients.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, control, and evaluate all clinical administrative components to ensure a supportive environment toward the delivery of the highest quality of services.
• Supervise a senior medical leadership team and provide clinical and administrative directions to all medical and clinical medical services staff.
• Collaborate with executive and senior leadership teams to meet organizational goals and optimize processes and services delivered.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the strategic direction for ESH.
• Ensure the strategic direction is articulated to medical staff and effectively delegates key activities to ensure timely execution of the strategic goals and objectives.

Requirements:

• A valid license to practice medicine and surgery in the state of Washington.
• Certification in General Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
• Demonstrated medical executive leadership experience.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary: $349,860.00 Annually
• Opportunities for on-site work with a 5% premium pay
• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic life and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible spending account for healthcare expenses
• Dependent care assistance
• Auto, boat, home, and renter insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation Program
• Social Security and Medicare participation
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time

Work Environment:

• Located 15 miles west of downtown Spokane, the states second-largest city, and a host of other suburban communities offer ideal places to live, play, and work.
• Outdoor activities are plentiful given the areas natural beauty and four seasons.
• Occasional travel between facilities and headquarters is required.

How to Apply:

If you are a motivated and experienced physician looking for a leadership role, please submit your application, including three professional references and your current CV, to:

Email: Jourdan Kovacs at jourdan.kovacs@dshs.wa.gov, reference 00130.

About the Department of Social and Health Services:

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) 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.

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 applicants 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 drivers license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

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.

Employee Benefits:

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. Thats 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.

Additional Benefits:

• Insurance Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as basic life and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation Program: A supplemental retirement savings program that allows you to control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer and the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
• Social Security and Medicare participation: As a state employee, you are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: 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.
• 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.
• Vacation (Annual Leave): Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
• 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.
• Additional Leave: Leave Sharing, Parental Leave, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Leave Without Pay.

Contact Information:

Email: Jourdan Kovacs at jourdan.kovacs@dshs.wa.gov, reference 00130.

Website:

http://www.careers.wa.gov