Principal Psychiatrist (40 Hour)

Principal Psychiatrist (40 Hour)

Recruitment # 260309-6186RQ-001

Location Bridgeport, CT Cheshire, CT East Lyme, CT Hartford, CT Newtown, CT Suffield, CT

Date Opened 5/4/2026 10:53:00 AM

Salary $241,644 - $315,292/year

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 8/4/2026 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (

• Introduction

  Our Mission: The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safe and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.

The Connecticut Department of Correction ( (DOC) is actively recruiting for multiple Principal Psychiatrists ( to join our Healthcare Services Units, with current and future vacancies in Bridgeport, Cheshire, East Lyme, Hartford, Newtown, and Suffield. If you thrive in a collaborative work environment that supports patients with mental health, substance abuse and other physiological challenges, and are interested in a career where you can make a positive difference in the lives of the inmate population, we encourage you to apply!

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

To attract and retain top talent, the State of Connecticut participates in a competitive benefits plan. Principal Psychiatrists at the DOC receive the following incentives:

• This is a Hazardous Duty Position and offers a pension plan, the State Employees Retirement System Tier IV. As a Hazardous Duty employee, you will be eligible to retire after just 25 years of service, regardless of your age.

• In addition to the base annual salary, you may be approved for a recruitment incentive of up to thirty thousand dollars ($30,000);

• Psychiatrists who are Board Certified in their area of practice will be eligible to receive a three thousand dollar ($3,000) annual bonus;

• Psychiatrists who have a job related second Board (e.g. Forensic psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, etc.) will be eligible to receive a five thousand dollars ($5,000) annual bonus;

• A fantastic work-life balance with a flexible on-call schedule and a manageable patient workload;

• Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview ( page to learn about our medical and dental insurance plans, sick/vacation/personal leave accruals, state holidays, tuition reimbursement and more!

• A healthy work/life balance to all employees ( .

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests ( , to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here ( .

POSITION DETAILS

These are full-time, 40 hour per week position on first shift. Schedule is Monday-Friday between 7:00am and 3:00pm.

Our Principal Psychiatrists will providing mental health services to our inmate population. Provision of high quality medical care is essential to our mission of leading safe and secure facilities while ensuring the wellness of our inmate population, our staff and the general public.

This recruitment will be utilized to fill both current and future vacancies. Selected candidates can be assigned any unit or location:

• Bridgeport Correctional Center – Bridgeport, CT

• Manson Youth Institution - Cheshire, CT

• York Correctional Institution - East Lyme, CT

• Hartford Correctional Center - Hartford, CT

• Garner Correctional Institution - Newtown, CT

• MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution - Suffield, CT

A MESSAGE FROM OUR STAFF

“Working in corrections is a unique experience that has provided me with a strong, predictable income with generous benefits. More importantly, I get to work in an environment that allows me to care for the sickest and in many cases underserved mentally ill patients in our community without insurance restrictions. I enjoy access to a generous, nearly unlimited formulary, and I can refer for somatic treatments without insurance impediments, as well. I find the work rewarding on multiple levels, from the patients who have stabilized well within our system to working with some of the most talented nurses, psychologists, medical doctors and social workers in their fields. I feel good coming to work every day knowing that the work I do matters!” -Dr. G., Principal Psychiatrist

For an inside look at how healthcare employees make a difference in a correctional setting, watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library ( for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.

• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 ( , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.

• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.

• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.

• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates - such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links - please check your Personal Status Board ( regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board as select "Update My Contact Information."

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!

• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.

• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jake Ferrari at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Children and Families, Correction and Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for providing clinical administrative/supervisory functions and/or direct care psychiatric services as a board-certified advanced clinician.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Provides 24-hour supervision to specified groups of patients and facility coverage as scheduled including on-call coverage and weekend coverage;

• Makes rounds and provides direct care and clinical oversight of multi-disciplinary treatment teams;

• Coordinates work of medical staff with related programs;

• Reviews treatment plans, clinical records, diagnoses, and patient discharge plans for adherence to policies and/or The Joint Commission (TJC) and Health Care Financing Authority (HCFA) standards;

• Provides education and training as indicated, e.g., grand rounds and case conferences;

• Assigns, oversees and evaluates work of staff and on-site night duty physicians and/or psychiatrists;

• Conducts and/or participates in meetings on clinical and administrative policy, research programs, clinical program development and treatment techniques;

• Assesses, examines and evaluates patients for admission or discharge;

• Assesses, examines, diagnoses and prescribes appropriate medications and other biologic and psychosocial treatments for patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders;

• Performs advanced level risk assessments;

• Consults on difficult and/or complex cases;

• Develops and implements QA and/or QI process improvement initiatives;

• Prepares and/or reviews reports, medical records and correspondence;

• Performs utilization review and management functions;

• Attends court hearings as a state witness;

• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of

• methods and principles of behavioral health medicine;

• current principles and methods of assessment and treatment of patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders;

• recent developments in field of psychiatry and substance abuse including treatment models and best practices;

• Considerable

• interpersonal skills;

• oral and written communication skills;

• Considerable ability to

• examine for, diagnose, assess and treat patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders;

• prescribe and conduct psychotherapy, medications and other treatments specific to psychiatric and substance abuse disorders;

• Ability to

• develop a collaborative group practice environment with other psychiatrists, physicians and members of interdisciplinary teams;

• analyze and interpret laboratory reports, x-rays and other medical and/or psychological reports and findings;

• Administrative ability;

• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Incumbents in this class must possess and retain certification as a specialist in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or board certification in Adult or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice medicine and surgery in Connecticut. A temporary license may be granted for a period not to exceed one (1) year.

• Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. 1320a-7b(f).

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain certification as a specialist in an area such as geriatrics, ABI/TBI, forensics, substance abuse, etc.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess appropriate current licenses, certifications or permits.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online