Psychiatrist

Location: California

FLSA:
Exempt

DEFINITION
Under administrative direction, provides direct psychiatric care and treatment for patients with complex and difficult disorders necessitating behavioral health clinical intervention; conducts psychiatric evaluations, formulates diagnosis, determines therapeutic and medical needs of patients and prescribes treatment; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the Medical Director or designee. Exercises clinical or functional direction over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is responsible for independently providing direct medical and psychiatric care to behavioral health patients, including clinical and administrative oversight of medical, clinical and administrative staff. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

This class provides direct psychiatric care in addition to medical care and is distinguished from other behavioral health clinicians and professionals by virtue of the requirement for board certification by an applicable medical board. This class is responsible for consultative direction and may provide supervision for patient care provided by County behavioral health facilities, including supervision of residents, interns or mid-level practitioners and consultation to community providers.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Typical functions mayinclude any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Evaluates patients to determine therapeutic and medical needs; develops treatment plans; participates in case conferences and consults with clinical staff regarding support services and treatment options.
• Conducts psychiatric evaluations, formulates diagnosis, determines therapeutic and medical needs of patients and prescribes treatment.
• Prepares and maintains detailed documentation of patient evaluations, prognosis, progress and treatment, consistent with Medi-Cal standards.
• Performs crisis intervention as required; assists clinical staff in mitigating crisis situations; prescribes and administers medication to patients in crisis situations.
• Evaluates patients for voluntary and involuntary commitment; signs commitment for clients requiring hospitalization.
• Provides direction and training for assigned staff, interns, and/or residents; participates in staff, intern, and/or resident training and quality assurance; develops, follows and instructs others in appropriate medical protocols.
• Performs detailed patient record documentation; prepares intake and discharge summaries, clinical and progress notes, and treatment plans.
• Provides expert witness court testimony and consultation to various child and adult service programs and agencies.
• Serves on utilization review, quality assurance, and other committees defined in by-laws.
• Ensures patient cases are handled in conformance with court and law enforcement regulations and applicable laws and regulations affecting behavioral health patients; provides expert witness court testimony.
• Provides medical/psychiatric services to County jail, juvenile hall, day treatment programs, substance abuse programs, and other programs as needed.
• Serves as case coordinator for patients or clients, as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of psychiatric medicine and treatment, including interviewing and assessing patients, and conducting individual, family and group counseling.
• Principles of providing clinical or functional direction and training.
• Medical protocols and…