PHYSICIAN PSYCHIATRIST

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or Chief of Specialty, the Psychiatrist is responsible for contributing to the overall medical health program of Franklin Primary Health Center, Inc. This position provides a full scope of psychiatric services including diagnosis, treatment, care coordination, and preventive care. As a member of the FPHC team, the Psychiatrist is expected to support the organization’s philosophy, goals, and objectives, while maintaining compliance with all policies, procedures, and applicable state and federal regulations.

Essential Functions

• Diagnoses, treats, and manages patients requiring psychiatric services.
• Provides care in accordance with established clinical guidelines.
• Actively participates in PCMH activities, including open access scheduling, patient care huddles, pre-visit planning, care plan development, patient education, and self-management goals.
• Collaborates with the CMO, Chief of Specialty, COO, and CEO regarding non-medical duties and adheres to all agency personnel policies.
• Supervises behavioral health staff, including administrative personnel, as assigned.
• Obtains and maintains hospital privileges at local facilities, if applicable.
• Admits or arranges for admission of patients requiring hospitalization.
• Participates in an on‑call schedule as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief of Specialty or Chief Medical Officer.

Additional Responsibilities

• Supervises mid‑level practitioners (Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) in the management of routine psychiatric conditions.
• Provides consultation and accepts referrals for complex psychiatric cases.
• Maintains availability by telephone for emergencies when not physically present.
• Participates in the education and training of students rotating within FPHC.

Journal Club Participation

• Identifies goals and objectives of Journal Club and assists in organizing activities.
• Selects and reviews articles for discussion at quarterly provider meetings.
• Distributes materials to colleagues prior to meetings.
• Encourages active participation and engagement.
• Evaluates effectiveness and gathers feedback for continuous improvement.

Quality Assurance Plan

Participates as a collaborating physician in monthly reviews of Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant medical records. Reviews include a minimum of 10% random sampling of patient records within the designated timeframe, and 100% review of records involving adverse outcomes.

The above statements reflect general duties and are not intended to be all-inclusive of all responsibilities assigned to this position.

Customer Satisfaction

Must consistently provide excellent customer service to patients, visitors, and co-workers in a professional and courteous manner.

Health and Safety Requirements

• Adheres to all safety policies and procedures.
• Completes annual Safety and Hazardous Communication training.
• Maintains required health records, including TB testing and hepatitis immunization.
• Maintains knowledge of OSHA and CLIA standards to ensure compliance.

Performance Standards

Performance is evaluated annually by the Chief Medical Officer or designee. A satisfactory rating is considered the minimum acceptable standard.

Privacy Rule Compliance Requirements

• Adheres to HIPAA Privacy Rule policies and procedures.
• Completes required privacy training annually or as updated.
• Protects patient confidentiality in accordance with FPHC policies.
• Maintains patient records in compliance with national standards.
• Ensures appropriate security of all patient information.

Protected Health Information (PHI) Access

This position is classified as a Primary Provider and is granted unrestricted access to PHI for patient care purposes and restricted access for other uses in accordance with privacy policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Education

Graduate of an accredited medical school or possess a Standard Certificate from the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates. Must hold a valid license to practice medicine in the State of Alabama. Board Certified or Board Eligible required. BLS certification preferred.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations

• Alabama Medical License
• DEA Certification
• State of Alabama Controlled Substance Registration
• Board Certified or Board Eligible

Other Qualifications

• English proficiency required; bilingual or bicultural candidates preferred.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with patients and staff.
• Ability to establish trust, gain cooperation, and maintain effective working relationships.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Ability to work under stressful conditions and maintain flexible or irregular hours.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in complex situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.