Assistant Professor WOT - Psychologist

The University of Washington’s Supporting Psychosis Innovation through Research, Implementation, and Training (SPIRIT) Lab in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences (60%) and Seattle Children’s Hospital (40%) is co-recruiting for a full-time (100% FTE) clinical psychologist to serve in a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor Without Tenure. All University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research and service.

Assistant Professors are eligible for multi-year appointments that align with a 12-month service period (July 1-June 30). Faculty with 12-month service periods are paid for 11 months of service over a 12-month period (July-June), meaning the equivalent of one month is available for paid time off.

This faculty will have the opportunity to have a local, regional, and national influence on psychosis prevention and treatment. As part of the Central Assessment of Psychosis Service (CAPS) clinical team, this faculty member will provide tele-evaluation of youth and young adults exhibiting an At-Risk Mental State and clinical teleconsultation to professionals whose clients are exhibiting early warning signs of psychosis. CAPS is a novel tele-evaluation service that is serving as a pilot for potential scale-up to other states. This faculty will serve a lead role in this service, contributing to clinical evaluations, quality monitoring, daily operations oversight, clinical supervision, professional consultation, and coordination with care professionals in adjacent services. In addition, the faculty will provide training and professional consultation in culturally- and contextually-mindful differential diagnosis of psychosis and psychosis risk states for the New Journeys Network. Faculty who are interested in pursuing research will have ample opportunity to participate in all stage of the research pipeline, from conceptual development to dissemination.

The faculty will be encouraged to serve on the leadership board of the Washington State Center of Excellence in Early Psychosis (WA-CEEP). WA-CEEP is directed by UW SPIRIT Lab co-director Maria Monroe-DeVita, PhD; it is committed to advancing high-quality psychosis research and care through collaborative partnerships with community members, state administrators, and academics.

As the director of the Early Psychosis Clinic at SCH Outpatient Psychiatry, this faculty will provide direct care in the form of intake assessments, family sessions, and/or psychotherapeutic interventions in addition to providing site supervision of trainees. The faculty will also work with partners across the state Health Care Authority, WA-CEEP, professional bodies, advocacy and community groups, NGOs, and the federal government to advance psychosis prevention and treatment.

Duties/Responsibilities:

·       CAPS Evaluator, Clinical Supervisor, and Investigator with the UW SPIRIT Lab (60%):

o   Provide input on the overall strategy and targeted approaches of CAPS, including:

§  Health communication campaign activities, including direct community outreach and education and working with local New Journeys FEP teams to tailor health communication materials and strategies for their local populations;

§  Refine the tiered CAPS screening approach;

§  Review cases, delegating responsibilities to CAPS staff, and ensuring efficient and appropriate case disposition;

§  Support continuous monitoring of case- and program level data;

§  Assist with data analysis for scholarly dissemination and to support data-informed program and clinical decision-making;

o   Maintain effective working relationships with FEP, CAPS, and the Washington State Center of Excellence in Early Psychosis partners and stakeholders;

o   Provide psychodiagnostic assessments as a CAPS Lead Evaluator, engaging independently in the screening, assessment, referral, and enrollment process; conduct comprehensive psychodiagnostic tele-assessments; generate psychodiagnostic reports; conduct feedback sessions; provide timely and adherent documentation; and consult to First Episode Psychosis clinical teams across the state of Washington;

o   Provide clinical supervision to 1-2 psychology postdoctoral fellows in CAPS screening and psychodiagnostic assessments (opportunities to expand clinical training to predoctoral residents and practicum students are available);

o   Run weekly case review meetings;

o   Provide timely referral and care coordination with community providers;

o   Support and/or investigation digital interventions aimed at enhancing measurement-based care, digital therapeutics, therapeutic engagement, and/or retention;

o   Develop the CAPS evidence base by seeking grant and contract funding as co-Investigator and/or Principal Investigator, conducting research and program evaluations on CAPS data, publishing in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, presenting at professional conferences;

o   Provide training to Washington State mental health professionals and trainees in early identification best practices and provide professional consultation through a monthly Differential Diagnosis Consultation Call series with local New Journeys Program Directors;

o   Spearhead efforts to mitigate systemic and interpersonal bias in screening, assessment, and treatment of individuals with psychosis or psychosis risk states.

·       Director of Early Psychosis Clinic, Seattle Children’s Hospital (40%):

o   Administration (10%):

§  Work with SPIRIT Lab faculty and SCH administration to expand financial investments in the Early Psychosis Clinic at SCH (state funding);

§  Oversee a multidisciplinary care team;

§  Coordinate with adjacent clinical programs at SCH (e.g., inpatient unit, Autism Clinic, Psychiatric Complex Care Clinic);

§  Attend administrative and faculty meetings

o   Direct service and Supervision (30%):

§  Intake assessments; psychodiagnostic assessments; construct treatment plans

§  Provide psychological services to patients and/or families

§  Complete timely documentation in the Electronic Health Record

§  Provide clinical supervision to SPIRIT Lab psychology postdoctoral fellows for all intakes and psychotherapeutic services;

§  Coordinate with the Early Psychosis Psychiatry Attending to support additional training activities focused on psychosis and psychosis risk care.

Salary

The base salary range for an Assistant Professor (WOT) position will be $8,500 - $10,417 per month ($102,000 - $125,004 annually).

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

Other compensation associated with this position may include an incentive through Children's University Medical Group (CUMG) practice plan.

Help Create Meaningful Change

The SPIRIT Lab is comprised of a diverse group of researchers, clinician trainers, and staff who are committed to improving the lives, wellbeing, and rehabilitation of individuals who experience or who are at risk of experiencing a serious emotional disturbance or a serious mental illness. We pride ourselves on leading the field in evidence-based, recovery-oriented, and culturally-resonant practices for psychosis and psychosis risk states, while also providing an academic environment conducive to ongoing professional development, learning, and fun. The University of Washington SPIRIT Lab has partnered with the state Health Care Authority since 2006 to support the public behavioral health workforce to better care for individuals and families who are navigating psychosis. Our faculty direct the Center of Excellence in Early Psychosis (WA-CEEP) and the training and technical assistance hub for the New Journeys First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Network. Informally, the UW SPIRIT Lab has helped to launch and consulted to the early psychosis care teams at both Harborview Medical Center and Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH). In addition, SPIRIT Lab faculty and staff have received roughly $1 million in state funding to develop a statewide coordinate screening, assessment, and referrals process for psychosis risk states through Central Assessment of Psychosis Service (CAPS). Following a 2-year development plan, CAPS will serve as nexus for early identification of psychosis and psychosis risk states across the state of Washington. Our goals are to:

A.      reduce the duration of untreated psychosis,

B.      streamline referral paths,

C.      signpost to other behavioral health services, and

D.     enhance equity in early identification services.

More information about SPIRIT Lab’s mission, values, personnel, and work can be found on our website:  https://uwspiritlab.org/ 

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is the third largest clinical department within the UW School of Medicine, with over 300 full-time faculty, over 400 courtesy/affiliate faculty, 132 trainees, over 300 staff, and an annual budget of over $110 million. Department faculty provide clinical services in 5 hospitals, 14 primary care locations, and several outpatient sites in addition to telepsychiatry consultations to more than 150 clinics in Washington and beyond. The psychiatry residency training program is the largest program in the United States and, as the only academic psychiatry department serving the five state WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho), the Department’s highly competitive residency training program is largely responsible for developing the mental health workforce in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, our education program runs numerous workforce training programs for mental health practitioners across Washington State and the Pacific Northwest Region.

The Department’s robust research portfolio reached $55 million in grant and contract awards in Fiscal Year 2023 for projects ranging from clinical neurosciences to treatment development to health policy and population health. The Department is recognized as an international leader in developing, testing, and implementing Collaborative Care, an integrated care model increasingly seen as a solution for population-based mental health care. Other areas of excellence include Addictions, Autism, High Risk Youth, Neurosciences, Psychosis, and Trauma. The Department is developing innovative new programs in Technology and Mental Health, Global Mental Health, Maternal and Child Mental Health, and Targeted Intervention Development. 

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH) is a large tertiary medical center affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine and serving a four-state area. Seattle Children’s provides a wide continuum of programming for children in the Pacific Northwest that address community-based care and prevention. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Health is a focus program at SCH and receives extraordinary support for its important role in the Northwest. This position will serve as the Director of Psychological Services at Seattle Children’s Outpatient Psychiatry Early Psychosis Clinic. The Early Psychosis Clinic has provided screening, assessment, consultation, and treatment services to families throughout King County and serves as a beacon to families in surrounding communities. The clinic benefits from proximity to several adjunctive services, such as the UW Autism Center, Psychiatric Complex Care Clinic, and the Mental Health Referral Service.

Living in Seattle:

Over the past decade, Seattle has evolved into one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing cities globally. Nestled in the stunning Pacific Northwest, Seattle boasts and atmosphere of innovation and a resilient ‘can do’ spirit. It’s no coincidence that renowned companies such as Boeing, Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon, Expedia, Nintendo, Discovery, and Zillow call Seattle home.

Seattle is not just a city; it’s a vibrant and well-educated community that thrives on constant change as it shapes the world. This spirit of innovation unfolds against the backdrop of a breathtaking natural setting, surrounded by lakes, ocean, forests and mountains. For those who savor the outdoors, the opportunities for outdoor adventure are boundless. Whether its hiking in the nearby Cascades, kayaking with whales in the Puget Sound or simply enjoying a stroll in one of the many green parks, Seattle seamlessly blends urban living with nature.

Seattle is also synonymous with a progressive mindset and commitment to sustainability. The city has been a pioneer in green initiatives, making it a perfect fit for those who prioritize eco-conscious living. The emphasis on public transportation, bike- friendly infrastructure and green spaces reflect Seattle’s dedication to creating an environmentally friendly community.

The city’s vibrant neighborhoods cater to various lifestyles. Whether you prefer the eclectic vibe of Capitol Hill, the scenic tranquility of Queen Anne, or the family-friendly atmosphere of Ballard, Seattle offers a neighborhood to suit every style.

The UW Medicine and our affiliate hospitals mirror the qualities of our Pacific Northwest haven—fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to discovery, and a profound appreciation of the beauty and diversity of our region. Our faculty, staff, and students hail from around the globe, drawn to the diversity and scale of our programs, the richness of the UW academic community, and our culture of scientific inquiry. Seattle is not just a place to work; it’s a place to live, raise a family, and build a community. Join us in this vibrant city and be part of an environment that values both professional excellence and the unique beauty of our surroundings.

A PhD, PsyD, EdD or foreign equivalent and eligibility for a Washington State license.

APA approved internship or if internship is not APA eligible, then must meet the requirements listed in WAC 246-924-056.

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• 3 Contact References
• A statement detailing how your teaching, research, and/or clinical service has supported underrepresented populations across dimensions of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, backgrounds, and interests. Applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience should note how their work will further the Department’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion