Psychiatrist / Forensic

With our Agency's mission to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses, we provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina.              

This position is located at the Department of Mental Health Forensic Services, Crafts-Farrow, 7901 Farrow Rd, Columbia, SC 29203.

As a Psychiatrist, working under limited supervision, performs services to the Inpatient Hospital Service. Provides service to the court system by evaluating detainees on an Acute and/or Chronic Inpatient Unit in the specialty service of the Forensic Division.  Exercises medical responsibility for a hospital psychiatric unit; interviews, examines, diagnoses, and treats mental disorders of patients. Performs professional duties requiring analysis of broad and complex issues.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conducts court-related evaluations. Must have expert knowledge in evaluating mentally ill inmates/patients.
• Maintains a reasonable working relationship with various court systems in South Carolina.
• Provides expert testimony in court when required, which requires detailed knowledge of mental health law. Represents SCDMH in a professional manner.
• Directs medical care of acute and/or chronic forensic unit. Coordinates work of multi-disciplinary clinical team in care and treatment of detainees and/or NGRIs/other forensic patients in high acuity, high management environment. Requires detailed knowledge of managing dangerous, aggressive forensic patients.
• Conducts daily ward rounds with staff professionals; conducts examinations and prescribes treatment. Excellent diagnostic skills mandatory due to high rate of potential for malingered psychosis and other mental illnesses in forensic population.
• Provides teaching/supervision of medical students and Forensic Fellows.
• Acts as a resource consultant to staff members.

Licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. Completion of a four-year (4) residency in psychiatry and a minimum of three (3) years in a psychiatric
program. Board certified/Board eligible in general/adult psychiatry. Five (5) years of post-residency experience in psychiatric care of patients.

Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

 

Must be licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. Board certified/eligible in General Psychiatry with two (2) years of experience in Forensic Psychiatry or completion of Forensic Fellowship. Excellent communication skills. Will be required to testify in court. Must be able to work in a high security atmosphere with detainees who have a high potential for violence. Must be able to work with repetitive unusual patient behaviors including but not limited to combative, threatening, acting out and unpredictable violence. May be exposed to blood. Must be able to lift a minimum of fifty (50) pounds. Evaluates seriously mentally ill detainees from county jails who have a high potential for violence. Works in a locked facility guarded by PSOs and Detention Center Guards.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Agency. We provide affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex – including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. Please account for any and all gaps of employment in your application. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of application completion nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

 The South Carolina Department of Mental Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave (Six Weeks for mother per year/Two Weeks for partner per year)
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs