SUMMARY

Provides psychiatric services to patients by diagnosing and treating their mental illness. Work is performed under broad supervision and is guided by policies and procedures, quality assurance, public and private payor guidelines, diagnostic guidelines and professional practices and including ethical standards related to client interactions, state and federal licensure and accreditation regulations and guidelines

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interviews and observes patients, obtains history, symptoms and other information, diagnoses illnesses and provides treatment to patients in the form of prescription medication(s) and brief psychotherapy, coordinating more detailed psychotherapy with other providers on the team.
• Performs mental status and/or other medical examinations.
• Provides technical supervision of direct treatment services performed by other service providers.
• Provides consultation, education and training services to individuals and agencies.
• Provides crisis intervention/emergency services.
• Conducts psychiatric evaluations.
• Prepares, maintains and provides required medical and administrative documentation such as clinical notes and reports, letters for patients.
• Educates patients on illness via conversation and printed materials
• Obtains prior authorizations for medication.
• Assists the Clinical Services Director in establishing agency policy and procedures for the delivery of medical services.
• Advises agency leadership with regard to developments in the field affecting its administration and delivery of medical related services.
• Assists in the coordination of the activities of medical services with other programs within the agency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Extensive knowledge of the principles, standards, practices and techniques related to Psychiatry; extensive knowledge of the characteristics and precautions to be taken in the administration of psychotropic medication; extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques related to individual therapy, counseling practices and risk assessment for the mentally ill thorough knowledge of individual management guidelines for Virginia; thorough knowledge of the laws and legal procedures relating to hospital admission; thorough knowledge of community resources hospitalization options, treatment providers and other agencies in service to the mentally ill population; ability to establish and maintain rapport with the individual population; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff and with private and public community partners; ability to function calmly in stressful, if not crisis situations; ability to risk assess and prioritize service demands; ability to prepare and maintain patient medical records and prepare reports in compliance with licensure regulations; ability to conduct effective interviews, observe, assess and record individual behaviors and functioning and develop treatment and service plans; ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; ability to confidently provide expert testimony in both oral and written formats; ability to train, supervise and evaluate subordinate professionals; ability to operate a vehicle.

TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Doctor of Medicine with a completion of an approved residency in psychiatry required. Board certified by American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry and some professional clinical experience in community mental health providing care to the mentally ill.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

License to practice medicine in Virginia. Board Certified. Residency in Psychiatry. Valid VA driver's license.