MENTAL HEALTH PSYCHIATRIST/CORRECTIONAL HEALTH

First day of filing: July 26, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., PT. This opportunity will remain open until the needs of the services are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

About the Role

The County of Los Angeles is offering up to a 20% recruitment and retention bonus for full-time Mental Health Psychiatrist positions hired by Correctional Health Services and working on-site in a designated facility to meet critical healthcare needs for the uniquely underserved jail population. Los Angeles County is under a Department of Justice Consent Decree to improve conditions and mental health care in County jails and support justice-involved populations post-release.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Mental Health Psychiatrist vacancies related to the DOJ Consent Decree. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Before your initial work period ends, you will be assessed on your work performance (weighted 100%). Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment.

About Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second-largest municipal health system in the nation. Through its integrated system of 25 health centers, four acute hospitals, and an expanded network of community partner clinics, DHS annually provides direct care for 600,000 unique patients, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual budget of over $6.9 billion.

DHS hospitals serve as training sites for physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education through academic affiliations with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences (CDU). In addition to clinical services, DHS operates the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency, the County's 911 emergency response system, Housing for Health, and the Office of Diversion and Re-entry, which connect vulnerable populations to supportive housing.

Mission: To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care.

Responsibilities

• Performs psychiatric evaluations and screens for health-related concerns as needed.
• Develops comprehensive psychiatric treatment plans.
• Evaluates individuals/clients to determine if probable cause is met to initiate detention under WIC 5150.
• Provides clinical consultation to other medical providers and staff, including interns and resident physicians, regarding treatment interventions, medical and diagnostic work performed, and participates in clinical case conferences.
• Assists in the planning, direction, and implementation of departmental initiatives and protocols to enhance and improve client care.
• Performs medication support services by evaluating the need for psychotropic medications, prescribes medications, monitors their overall effect, and may administer medication when necessary.
• Orders, obtains, reviews, and monitors pertinent laboratory tests.
• Participates in the evaluation of the quality of care and provides input into formulating corrective action plans to mitigate future clinical risk.
• Conducts academic and/or research activities.
• Conducts trainings or assists in the training of interns and resident physicians.
• Testifies in court as an expert witness.
• Discusses patient information with relevant third parties including attorneys, judges, and family members, following appropriate release of information or court order.

Requirements

• Completion of a residency approved by an American Specialty Board in psychiatry or equivalent training.*
• California State Physician and Surgeon's Certificate authorized by the Board of Medical Examiners of the State of California. All required licenses and certifications must be active and unrestricted.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

*Equivalent training is defined as that training which the appropriate American Certifying Board formally recognizes in writing as being equivalent.

Applicants must attach a legible copy of their certificate of completion for the required residency training program and California State Physician and Surgeon's Certificate to their application at the time of filing. Applications submitted without evidence of the required licenses or certificates will be rejected.

Physical Demands

Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit, and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable walking may be involved.

Benefits

• 20% recruitment and retention bonus for full-time Mental Health Psychiatrist positions working on-site in a designated Correctional Health Services facility.

Schedule

Appointees may be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Additional Information

• Before the end of the initial 90-day work period, the appointing department will evaluate performance for consideration of permanent appointment.
• All information included in application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after appointment. Falsification may result in disqualification.
• Selected candidates must complete a thorough background investigation, including fingerprint search. Examples of disqualifying factors include felony convictions, job-related misdemeanor convictions, certain serious traffic violations, substance abuse, or probation status.