Psychiatrist

Psychiatrist

GULF COAST CENTER - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Psychiatrist - Adult, Youth, or Mixed-Age

Work Location: Galveston County and/or Brazoria County

Work Arrangement: Telepsychiatry, In-Person, or Hybrid

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time with Benefits (30-40 hours/week)

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the psychiatrist provides high-quality, person-centered psychiatric care to an assigned caseload at outpatient behavioral health sites. Responsibilities include psychiatric evaluations, medication management, treatment planning, and emergency assessments, all evidence-based and aligned with current DSM standards and best practices.

The psychiatrist must document services concurrently using the electronic medical record system and complete documentation timely, ensuring compliance with state regulations, program policies, and billing requirements. The role involves consulting with the CMO and multidisciplinary team to support coordinated care, and active participation in quarterly Behavioral Health Medical Services meetings, including death reviews. Additional duties may be assigned by the CMO.

This salaried position follows a set weekly schedule with flexibility to meet program needs. The psychiatrist is accountable for adhering to and promoting agency compliance policies.

Commitment to Mission and Values : Upholds and exemplifies Gulf Coast Center's mission: to provide accessible, efficient, and quality services supporting independent and healthy living. Demonstrates the Center's core values - Humanity, Excellence, Accountability, Loyalty, Teamwork, Honor, and You - by serving with compassion, striving for innovation, maintaining high standards, honoring family supports, collaborating effectively, fostering a positive work environment, and strengthening community partnerships.

Essential Job Duties:

• Provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, treatment planning, and emergency assessments for an assigned outpatient caseload. Care must align with current DSM standards, evidence-based practices, and GCC and HHSC (Health and Human Services Commission) guidelines.
• Maintain timely, concurrent documentation in the electronic health record, including diagnoses (e.g., Substance Use Disorder [SUD]), treatment updates, phone calls, medication changes, and referrals. Complete documentation by end of business each day.
• Conduct emergency psychiatric evaluations as needed or requested by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), program manager, or crisis manager. Document risk factors and assist in developing individualized crisis plans.
• Prescribe medications collaboratively with patients and/or legally authorized representatives (LAR), considering diagnosis, target symptoms, medical conditions, and cost-benefit-risk factors. Follow GCC formulary, medication policy, and use patient assistance programs as appropriate.
• Order and review lab work per treatment guidelines and adjust care accordingly. Monitor effectiveness and side effects of prescribed medications. Complete required assessments such as the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) and obtain informed consent using CMO-approved forms.
• Clearly document clinical rationale for deviations from standard treatment (e.g., polypharmacy, off-label use, benzodiazepines, modified lab schedules). Adhere to the Medication Safety Initiative and obtain CMO approval for initiating benzodiazepines. Refer to internal or external recovery services as needed.
• Check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) before prescribing controlled substances and document review and prescribing rationale in the medical record.
• Participate in quarterly Behavioral Health Medical Services meetings, including peer reviews, death reviews, and other quality improvement activities.
• Support access to care and productivity goals (85% utilization and productivity) through schedule optimization, managing no-shows, and accommodating walk-ins when possible.
• Monitor SmartCare dashboard daily to finalize encounters, complete co-signatures, and ensure timely billing submissions.
• Maintain all professional requirements, including licensure, credentialing, and Continuing Medical Education (CME). Participate in ongoing training and CME opportunities. Submit renewals and certifications on time.
• Comply with GCC's compliance policies, Code of Conduct, and Corporate Compliance Plan. Coordinate with internal departments and community partners as appropriate.
• Demonstrate professionalism and respectful communication with clients, colleagues, and community members. Provide responsive, high-quality service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Report leave, flex time, and emergency absences to supervisor. Adhere to agency policies regarding dress code, safety, and training.
• Travel within Brazoria and Galveston Counties and, occasionally, out of region may be required. As applicable to role, maintain a valid Texas driver's license, clean driving record, reliable transportation, and current auto liability insurance per GCC Driver Policy.

Supervision

• Reports directly to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
• May serve as a supervising or delegating physician for a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Physician Assistant (PA) under a Texas Medical Board (TMB) supervision agreement, depending on role assignment.

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree; completion of residency in Psychiatry and/or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, as applicable.
• Board Eligible or Board Certified in General Psychiatry and/or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, aligned with the assigned role.
• Successful board certification by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and/or American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) within board-specified timeframe is required; failure to achieve certification may result in termination.
• Current, active Texas medical license issued by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) and active Texas Controlled Substance Registration Certificate issued by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
• Unrestricted eligibility to participate in Medicare, Medicaid, and other third-party payer provider networks.
• Registration with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience as a psychiatric provider/psychiatrist, including at least 1 year working in a Texas Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) or similar safety-net psychiatry setting.
• At least 1 year of experience providing telepsychiatry services.
• Experience practicing psychiatry in community behavioral health settings.
• Flexibility to provide onsite services as needed.
• Bilingual proficiency preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with computers, software programs, and email communication.
• Demonstrates professional humility by valuing input from all team members and recognizing others' contributions in clinical decisions.
• Shows strong initiative and commitment, staying engaged and responsive to clients, teams, and care systems.
• Applies interpersonal intelligence to communicate clearly, listen actively, and build trusting relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Promotes a culture of psychological safety where staff feel respected, heard, and free to voice ideas or concerns without fear of judgment.
• Practices emotional intelligence, including in high-stress situations, maintaining self-awareness, empathy, and compassion for diverse experiences.
• Engages in collaborative treatment planning with humility, balancing clinical expertise, team input, and client perspectives.
• Welcomes feedback and supervision as opportunities for growth and provides constructive input to others.
• Models cultural humility and trauma-informed care principles, committed to equity, inclusion, and person-centered approaches.
• Maintains consistent presence and accountability within the team, whether in-person or virtual.

Working Conditions

• Work performed onsite and/or remotely (e.g., telepsychiatry) depending on role assignment.
• Flexible work hours based on client needs.
• May require travel for trainings and to clinical locations within Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
• Requires valid Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation meeting all legal requirements, and liability insurance, as applicable to role.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Comfortable working closely with clients and/or family members with poor hygiene.
• Ability to work long and/or irregular hours as needed per role.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, move, or adjust items up to 55 pounds.
• Ability to ascend and descend stairs.
• Ability to remain stationary for long periods.
• Ability to handle objects and operate office equipment.
• Ability to move within office and other locations; may include bending, twisting, kneeling, stooping, and reaching.
• Ability to push, pull, crawl, or squat, including performing Safety Assessment and Management of Aggression (SAMA) restraints as required.
• Adequate visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and observe surroundings.
• Ability to detect and write effectively.
• Ability to hear, with or without hearing aids.

Cognitive/Emotional Requirements

• Ability to accept and apply constructive criticism.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Proficient in understanding, communicating, and comprehending information in English.
• Strong reasoning, analytical, and practical problem-solving skills.
• Required to pass and maintain all mandatory Center trainings.

Work Site/Environmental Conditions

• May be exposed to hostile or high-crime environments.
• Potential exposure to tobacco products.
• Work may occur in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Subject to typical workplace noise levels.
• Travel by vehicle, van, bus, or plane may be required.

Special Projects/Additional Duties

• Assist the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) with special projects as requested, completing assignments within agreed timelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CMO related to the program and position.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodations in accordance with ADA requirements.