Psychiatrist

DIHS has a position for a Psychiatrist with primary responsibility for applying professional knowledge in the practice of medicine in the field of psychiatry in an ambulatory and infirmary setting. The incumbent may function in (1) a consultation role, providing psychiatric consultation for medical staff and the ICE, and/or (2) a clinical role, providing diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic services to patients and (3) a supervisory or leadership role.

Duties and Responsibilities

Prescribes and monitors psychiatric medication treatment services including monitoring the side effects of medication and the adverse reactions. Offers comprehensive psycho-educational information with each medication/somatic treatment regarding the patient's mental illness, emotional disturbance or behavior disorder, treatment goals, potential benefits and the risk of treatment, self-monitoring aids, and identifies support groups for therapeutic assistance. Utilizes the evidence-based algorithms for decision-making regarding patient assessment and medication management. Evaluates patients receiving Medication/Somatic Treatment on the Assessment of Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) annually, adjusting medication according to findings. Adheres to medical standards in accordance with DIHS policies, American Psychiatric Association standards and legal requirements. Determines the need for core treatment and specialty services for those in need of mental health treatment.

Provides psychiatric care in the treatment of the full range of psychiatric problems. Is skilled in the use of various diagnostic and treatment procedures, including cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, supportive individual and group psychotherapy, somatic therapies (including the use of traditional and atypical drugs). Is knowledgeable about the indications and contraindications, complications and techniques in the various treatment and diagnostic modalities. Exercises professional judgment in the selection of cases for particular treatments and typically works with patients where the consequences of errors may be of considerable magnitude.

Provides professional, recovery based psychiatric care that is considerate of cultural and ethnic diversity and focuses on empowering individuals to change their own lives, assuring that patients are treated with dignity and are consulted when evaluating treatment and services. Utilizes best treatment practices based on research and analysis, which promotes recovery, reduces stigma and unconditionally enhance the quality of life. Assures that a positive therapeutic milieu exists during treatment and emphasizes recovery goals.

Responsible for participating in a comprehensive performance improvement and utilization management plan which addresses such issues as the quality and appropriateness of services, evaluation of patient-based functions, decreasing the escalation of healthcare costs, and improvement in patient outcomes.

Prepares or oversees the preparation of documentation, testimony, and written orders needed for care, treatment, medical records, legal actions, referrals, performance development, credentials/privileges, and administrative requirements.

Provides expert guidance to the Director and other staff in all matters pertaining to mental health treatment (modalities and medications), and mental health programs both domestic and international.

Analyzes public health care trends, in the mental health area, of related special population groups and assists in developing and implementing policies and guidelines to improve mental health services of such groups.

May assume, in emergency situations and within incumbent's competence, responsibility for the non-psychiatric medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients for whom she or he is responsible in the absence of non-psychiatric physicians.

May act as Clinical Director in the absence of the Clinical Director. May serve as a member or chair of staff committees or an officer of the medical staff.

May provide clinical supervision to other mental health staff. Attends required medical and professional staff meetings. Participates in after hour telephone on-call rotation. Expected to spend at least 60% of time in direct patient care to meet the performance targets set by the DIHS.

Maintains accreditation readiness under regulatory standards for surveys by accrediting, certifying, and licensing bodies, including the NCCHC, JCAHO and ACA.

Performs other duties as assigned.

FACTOR 1, Knowledge

Incumbent must be credentialed, privileged, and possess a current, permanent, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine, or meet Federal medical licensure requirements if assigned as a US PHS Medical Officer. Must be Board Eligible in Psychiatry, regarded as an Expert in the field, and have administrative or supervisory experience within an inpatient treatment unit. Knowledge of the principles of public health.

FACTOR 2, Supervisory Controls

Serves as an independent, qualified practitioner within the designated scope of professional practice. Works under the direct supervision of the Clinical Director. The supervisor provides clinical/administrative direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.

FACTOR 3, Guidelines

Written guidelines to assess work include:

• DIHS Policies and Procedures Manual
• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and Other Organizations
• NCCHC, ACA, American Psychiatric Association
• Relevant laws and regulations
• The profession's ethical standards
• The profession's clinical standards
• The American Medical Association's standards for continuing medical education

While these guidelines are generally applicable, the incumbent must be able to differentiate between the intent and content of the guideline as it pertains to individual situations.

As a professional, additional guidelines are expressed in the By-Laws and Regulations, and the ethics of the medical profession.

FACTOR 4, Complexity

In performing these duties, the incumbent must consider the pathological, biological, psycho social, social, legal, and administrative factors that can contribute to the care of the psychiatrically ill in determining the diagnosis, formulation of treatment, and therapeutic actions for the patients for whom she or he is responsible. Additionally, must be an exemplary model for staff and have considerable capacity to teach.

The work requires continuing efforts to manage complex psychiatric problems or to resolve unyielding problems.

FACTOR 5 - Scope and Effect

The findings, conclusions and recommendations of the incumbent are accepted as being professionally sound and are given substantial weight by professional peers and organizational superiors. The work involves planning, developing, and carrying out vital administrative or professional programs.

The programs are essential to the mission of the DIHS or affect large numbers of people on a long-term or continuing basis.

FACTOR 6 - Personal Contacts

Maintains daily personal contacts with the professional staff, medical staff, institutional staff and other government and non-government agencies. Provides professional, psychiatric services to patients. Provides oversight and training to the medical staff, authorizing the medico-legal functions performed.

FACTOR 7 - Purpose of Contacts

Performs professional and administrative functions focusing on the recovery or stabilization of patients in need of mental health services in the DIHS. The purpose is to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues. The work usually involves active participation in conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentations involving problems or issues of considerable consequence or importance. The people contacted typically have diverse viewpoints, goals, or objectives requiring the incumbent to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by convincing them, arriving at a compromise, or developing suitable alternatives.

FACTOR 8 - Physical Demands

The work is sedentary but may require local travel within the community, or other facilities throughout the country. The work may include participation in an after hours telephone on-call rotation.

FACTOR 9 - Work Environment

Exposure to risks and hazards of working with emotionally disturbed patients in a detention facility.