Psychiatrist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Serves as case coordinator for patients or clients, as assigned.
• Provides medical/psychiatric services to County jail, juvenile hall, day treatment programs, substance abuse programs, and other programs as needed.

Requirements

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.

Qualifications

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

Skills

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.

Benefits

Salary Step Increases: The beginning salary and the top of the salary range are usually shown on the job announcement. Upon satisfactory service, salary increases of approximately 5% may be given annually until the top of the salary range has been attained. Longevity Pay: 2.5% at 10 years, 2.5% at 15 years, 2.5% at 20 years, for a total 7.5% after 20 years of service. Boot Allowance: Members of this unit shall be eligible for a work boot/footwear reimbursement up to $275 annually. This reimbursement shall be for the purchase, maintenance and/or repair of safety boots/shoes authorized by the Department Head. Cell Phone Allowance: County issued cell phone or $70/month allowance with appointing authority approval. Holidays: 13 paid holidays per year. Vacation: 0-4.99 years: 15 days/yr.; 5-9.99 years: 20 days/yr.; 10-19.99 years: 25 days/yr.; 20+ years: 27 days/yr. Administrative Leave: 7 days per year for FLSA Exempt employees. Sick Leave: 96 hours of sick leave are earned each year with no maximum accrual. Bereavement Leave: Maximum of 40 hours for each occurrence in the immediate family. Health Plan Including Dental Insurance and Vision Insurance: Coverage under the Butte County Health Plan is for employees and their eligible dependents. Depending upon the plan selected by the employee, the County contributes a substantial amount of the total cost of the complete health package, which consists of medical, vision, and dental insurance. Currently, the amount the County contributes for family coverage is $2,372.06/month. For those employees who have health coverage from other sources, and who elect to not participate in the Butte County Health Plan, the County offers a monthly taxable Cash-Back allowance. The current of the taxable Cash-Back allowance is $550.00 per month (prorated for less than fulltime employees).