Psychiatrist

Under the clinical direction of the Chief Psychiatrist/Senior Psychiatrist or designee, and the administrative direction of the Chief of Mental Health, Psychiatrists provide extensive psychiatric services or work in a review, evaluation, or consultative capacity. Psychiatrists may work in any of the State correctional institutions/facilities and provide direct patient psychiatric services to mentally ill inmates/wards. Psychiatrists may also be used in headquarters or field offices in a review and/or consultative capacity.

a. Meet with mentally ill patient-inmates/youths for crisis interventions, face-to-face interviews, etc. Must be able to provide clinical face-to-face interviews at cell fronts in inmate housing units. In some institutions, multi-tiered housing units may require the ability to climb stairs and walk long distances;

b. Conduct initial mental health evaluations including criminal, psychiatric, and substance abuse case history to assess inmate’s/ward’s current needs and make treatment recommendations in the initial evaluation.

c. Conduct clinically sound suicide risk evaluations including clinical reviews, applying suicide risk assessment protocols, pertinent data/chart reviews, proper documentation and consultations as needed;

d. Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDTT) meetings;

e. Document all care provided to the patient-inmate/ward, including face-to-face contacts and IDTT meetings;

f. Monitor inmate/ward progress using Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan and Education (SOAPE) formatted

progress notes;

g. Effectively applies community standard of practice for psychiatric treatment modalities and ethical standards.

h. Perform mental status exam (MSE) in face-to-face clinical interviews.

i. Identify the relevant signs and symptoms of medical/psychological disorders in order to comprehensively diagnose, assess and manage the presenting symptomatology;

j. Examine prior mental health records, institutional chromos, probation reports, court records and other available documents to assist in the formulation of patient’s diagnosis and aid in the development of the inmate’s/ward’s treatment plans.

k. Review, examine and diagnose psychiatric patients of all ages and patient records and files in mental health program to determine progress, effectiveness and/or appropriateness of treatment services;

l. Consult, as necessary, with supervising psychiatrist on unusual, complex, or serious cases, or present such cases to a clinical conference for advice or decision;

m. Provide clinical consultation to psychiatric staff on unusual, complex or serious problems and cases where technical expertise is needed.

n. Prescribe medication as deemed appropriate for treatment and utilize the CDCR Correctional Formulary or obtain non-formulary approval;

o. Interpret laboratory results and make clinically appropriate referrals to medical services, as appropriate;

p. Determine type of psychiatric and general medical treatment needed;

q. Prescribe changes in treatment when indicated;

r. When conditions are suspected, adhere to mandated reporting requirements regarding California Psychiatrists, including, but not limited to, reported child and elder abuse, danger to self or others, duty to warn (Tarasoff) reporting and other confidentiality mandates;

s. Develop a therapeutic relationship with the patient-inmate’s/ward’s families and caretakers to enhance effective treatment delivery.

t. Work in consult with primary care medicine in identifying and managing co-occurring, co-morbid and treatment related medical conditions;

u. Make clinical rounds and review progress of patients, including assessments in inmate/ward housing units;

v. Serve periodically as psychiatrist-of-the-day for on-call/call back during weekend and off-hours for patient emergencies, Mental Health Crisis Beds follow up, and 5-day follow ups;

w. Administer psychiatric treatment with assistance, as necessary, from other health care providers.

x. Maintain order and supervise conduct of persons committed to the correctional facility in order to prevent escapes or injury by these persons to themselves or others;