Staff Psychiatrist
Job Summary
Under the general direction of the Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Director of Crisis Continuum Services, the Crisis Continuum Services Psychiatrist provides evaluation and treatment to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis and leads a multi-disciplinary clinical team providing support to persons served by OCHN’s crisis system.
About the Role
This physician will play a critical role in overseeing crisis-related determinations, facilitating the operation of an integrated, evidence-based crisis continuum that meets clinical standards and employs best practices while ensuring resources are responsibly allocated.
Essential Functions
Direct Clinical Care: Performs all duties and responsibilities of a psychiatrist; provides high-quality, cost-effective care consistent with licensing, accreditation, and payer standards. Conducts and/or supervises psychiatric evaluations, medication management, diagnostic study (e.g., labs, imaging, ECG) interpretation, suicide and violence risk assessments, and substance intoxication/overdose/withdrawal assessments (including the use of structured assessment tools and symptom screening questionnaires); within crisis workflows determines level of care (e.g., ED transfer, inpatient, CSU, CRU, partial hospital, outpatient).
Provides clinical disposition decisions and physician certifications as required (e.g., involuntary petitions/clinical certifications under the Michigan Mental Health Code).
Ensures timely documentation in the EHR and adherence to HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Leadership and Program Support
Supports the Medical Director of Crisis Continuum Services; implements protocols, care pathways, and escalation algorithms consistent with SAMHSA Crisis Guidelines and MDHHS expectations.
Leads a multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), nurses, bachelor’s-level clinicians, counselors, social workers, and psychologists to deliver rapid, reliable, evidence-based care and disposition determinations.
Interfaces with relevant internal teams, hospitals/EDs, law enforcement, EMS, and community providers to ensure warm handoffs and least-restrictive, recovery-oriented care transitions.
Leads daily/shift huddles and interdisciplinary rounds (nursing, crisis clinicians, peers, behavioral health technicians (BHTs)/milieu staff, discharge planners) to resolve barriers, update risk, and finalize dispositions.
Provides clinical supervision to medical students, residents, and fellows. May serve as collaborating physician of record for APPs; provides regular chart audits, scope-of-practice oversight, and timely case consultation.
Promotes a culture of person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented practice across teams.
Quality, Compliance, and Performance
Adheres to quality measures and key performance indicators (KPIs) (e.g., time to triage, time to disposition, 23-hour utilization, return-in-crisis rates, warm handoff completion).
Complies with all relevant OCHN policies/procedures, MDHHS/Medicaid requirements, accreditation standards, and the Michigan Mental Health Code; participates in Root Cause Analyses and special reviews as directed by the Chief Medical Officer or Medical Director of Crisis Continuum Services.
Serves on OCHN committees as directed by OCHN Chief Medical Officer.
Job Requirements and Qualifications
Education: MD or DO from an accredited medical school.
Training Requirements (licenses, programs, or certificates): Board Certified (or eligible) in Psychiatry; Michigan medical license; Michigan Controlled Substance License; DEA registration; BLS.
Preferred additional fellowship training and board certification (e.g., Addiction Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, or Geriatric Psychiatry).
Experience Requirements: Completion of accredited psychiatry residency program.
Preferred Requirements: Prior experience working in crisis/emergency settings is preferred.
Job Specific Competencies/Skills
Working knowledge of the Michigan Mental Health Code; MDHHS policy; Medicaid/PIHP requirements; SAMHSA Crisis Guidelines; suicide and violence risk assessment; psychopharmacology; co-occurring SUD care; EHR documentation; HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2.
Leadership, communication, teaching, and data-driven QI skills; ability to work effectively, confidently, and respectfully with diverse populations and partners.
A high sense of personal and professional ethics and integrity.
Additional Information
Position may include evening/weekend/holiday coverage; on-site presence at the RCC with hybrid work for administrative tasks when appropriate.
Full-time employment with benefits preferred; qualified part-time/contract arrangements will be considered to meet service needs.
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.