Psychiatrist

Psychiatric Care Provider

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027.

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.

Examples of Typical Job Functions

Typical functions may include 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 treatment used in the care of individuals who experience behavioral disorders and/or chemical dependency.
• Principles of adult and child psychology.
• Principles and techniques of narcotic and other drug administration and their effect.
• Laws and regulations related to patient's rights, voluntary or involuntary treatment and commitment for treatment including criteria for commitment.
• Community resources and agencies providing support services for the behaviorally ill or disabled.
• Medical recordkeeping and documentation including patient charting.
• Medi-Cal regulations and documentation for medical necessity.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide professional leadership for the County's Behavioral Health programs.
• Train staff in following medical protocols and psychiatric treatment procedures.
• Assess client mental status and make accurate evaluations.
• Analyze crisis situations in a prompt and concise manner to facilitate appropriate treatment and referrals.
• Develop and implement appropriate treatment plans; review and approve plans developed by other treatment staff.
• Evaluate patients for medication needs and reactions.
• Prepare detailed case summaries and documentation and maintain accurate patient records in compliance with local, state and federal rules and regulations.
• Protect patient's rights and provide advocacy for those striving to overcome behavioral health challenges.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an American Medical Association certified school of medicine or osteopathy in good standing, and successful completion of an approved residency.

Certifications and Licenses

• Must possess a valid US driver's license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver's license following hire date per California DMV regulations.
• Must possess a valid license to practice medicine in the State of California and be board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association.

Physical Demands

• Mobility to work in a standard office, out-patient, clinic, jail or juvenile facility; use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required; frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds with the use of proper equipment.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

Working Conditions

• Employees work in an office, out-patient, clinic, jail or juvenile facility environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Employees may interact with clients with behavioral disorders/erratic and assaultive behavior, including those which require emergency crisis intervention.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Equipment and Tools Utilized

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment.

Disaster Service