Lead Psychiatrist

About the role

The Lead Psychiatrist provides clinical guidance and oversight for psychiatrists and psychiatric advanced practice providers across Correctional Health Services. This role partners with medical and executive leadership to ensure high-quality, evidence-based psychiatric care for a complex incarcerated population, while supporting quality improvement, clinical policy development, training, formulary management, and compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Provides clinical oversight of the Correctional Health Services (CHS) psychiatrists and the psychiatric advanced practice providers
• Works closely with the Chief Medical Officer and the Executive Leadership Team to oversee various administrative functions to improve the psychiatric care of patients
• Performs comprehensive chart reviews periodically and as needed for quality improvement, legal review, morbidity/mortality review, or administrative reviews
• Collaborates closely with the Mental Health Director to ensure psychiatric care and mental health services are provided to patients as a cohesive treatment plan
• Establishes, updates, and oversees psychiatric clinical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) with the oversight of the Chief Medical Officer to ensure compliance with best practices, standards of care, existing laws, and regulations
• Collaborates with the CHS Pharmacist and Chief Medical Officer to establish and implement a cost-effective formulary for psychiatric medications
• Manages non-formulary and high-cost medication requests daily in collaboration with the CHS Pharmacist and Chief Medical Officer or Designee
• Develops and conducts training programs for new and existing staff on clinical treatment, assessment, and psychiatric protocols
• Recommends systematic improvements in workflows, training, EHR, and other systems to leadership to improve clinical outcomes
• Aids in preparation, education, and training for accreditation surveys
• Maintains licensure, certifications, and other credentialing as indicated

Requirements

• Three years post-residency experience in psychiatry, evaluating and treating diverse patients with mental disorders in an institutional environment
• Doctoral degree from an accredited and approved school of medicine or osteopathic medicine
• Completed an approved U.S. Residency/Fellowship training program in Psychiatry
• Valid unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Arizona
• Current and unrestricted Board Certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
• Experience in a leadership position as a manager, supervisor, or another lead role involving psychiatric clinical program oversight
• Experience working with incarcerated individuals
• Experience working with mentally ill patients in an institutional environment
• Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)

Qualifications

• Must be able to work inside a jail and stand, walk, and bend for extended periods of time throughout the shift
• Requires accurately handling a high volume of work, communicating with a culturally diverse patient population, and adapting to frequent changes, interruptions, and unscheduled tasks
• Position includes day or night shift work, which may include weekends and holidays
• Travelling or floating to various clinical locations is required within a 5-mile radius
• Must be able to respond to emergencies
• Maintain CPR certification and get on the floor to perform CPR/chest compressions, push medical equipment, climb stairs, and lift patients on a gurney
• Current DEA certification is required upon hire
• Current DEA dispensing license is required upon hire
• Current NPI number is required upon hire
• Current CPR certification, including knowledge and hands-on curriculum, is required
• Maintain certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
• Must not have any pending actions by the Arizona Board of Medicine or any other state
• Complete a fingerprint clearance, credentialing and privileging requirements, pass a background check, and maintain MCSO jail access