Clinical Psychiatric Specialist

Job Description:

• About the Job:

This position is responsible for providing direct psychiatric care and treatment to patients with complex disorders. The successful candidate will conduct psychiatric evaluations, formulate diagnoses, determine therapeutic needs, and prescribe treatment.

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
• Provides expert witness court testimony and consultation to various child and adult service programs and agencies
• Serves on utilization review, quality assurance, and other committees defined in by-laws
• Ensures patient cases are handled in conformance with court and law enforcement regulations and applicable laws and regulations affecting behavioral health patients; provides expert witness court testimony
• Provides medical/psychiatric services to County jail, juvenile hall, day treatment programs, substance abuse programs, and other programs as needed
• Serves as case coordinator for patients or clients, as assigned

Requirements:

• M.D. or D.O. degree from an American Medical Association certified school of medicine or osteopathy
• Successful completion of an approved residency
• Valid license to practice medicine in the State of California and board certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association
• Ability to work independently and make decisions within broad guidelines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills