Psychiatrist/Assistant Chief Medical Director **Up to $15,000 Sign-On Bonus**

About the role

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277-bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when it opened as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property, with a scheduled completion date of August 2027. CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). It also has 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

This key leadership position combines direct psychiatric treatment with supervision of psychiatric providers, management of forensic/civil census and services, court responsibilities, staff development, performance improvement, and a strong commitment to patient safety and recovery. The Assistant Chief Medical Director will lead multidisciplinary treatment teams, promote timely and appropriate discharge planning, ensure compliance with medical, regulatory, and documentation standards, and champion the effective use of the electronic health record. This position offers an opportunity for an experienced physician leader to shape quality care, support a culture of accountability and collaboration, and advance the hospital’s mission of providing safe, compassionate, recovery-oriented services to individuals in a secure forensic setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and oversight within the forensic/civil psychiatric program
• Supervise psychiatric providers and lead multidisciplinary treatment teams
• Manage forensic/civil census and services
• Perform court responsibilities as required
• Support staff development and performance improvement initiatives
• Champion patient safety and recovery-oriented care
• Ensure compliance with medical, regulatory, and documentation standards
• Promote timely and appropriate discharge planning
• Champion the effective use of the electronic health record
• Participate in the MOD second on-call coverage

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited medical school
• Successful completion of an accredited psychiatry residency training program
• Current licensure to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or eligibility to obtain Virginia medical licensure prior to the commencement of employment
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Board certification in Psychiatry is preferred; candidates must, at a minimum, meet the eligibility requirements for certification in General Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in conducting comprehensive psychiatric and medical evaluations, performing clinical examinations, maintaining accurate documentation, and applying sound diagnostic skills
• Knowledge of current evidence-based psychiatric and medical treatment modalities and their appropriate application in clinical practice
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely document clinical information in the medical record and communicate effectively with patients, families, and other stakeholders
• Exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to establish effective working relationships and contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary treatment teams

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with training and experience
• Up to $15,000 Sign-On Bonus (must be new to state service and sign a 1-year tenure agreement)
• $2,500 and five paid days annually for CME and/or license renewal
• Up to $3,000 in relocation assistance
• Malpractice insurance coverage
• Choice of health insurance plans (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Paid life insurance
• Retirement plan options
• At least 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous annual leave
• Family personal leave
• Sick leave
• Employee discount programs
• Visa sponsorship