Principal Physician (DMHAS)

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is currently recruiting for a Principal Physician (DMHAS) located on the grounds of Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, CT for our Ambulatory Care Services.  This is a full-time forty (40) hour per week, Monday through Friday position.

The Principal Physician position examines, diagnoses and treats patients with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.  He or she will develop and monitor integrated treatment plans and prescribes appropriate medications; prescribes, conducts and administers group, individual and family psychotherapy and other forms of specialized therapy; interviews, examines and admits patients to treatment; performs physical examinations; coordinates treatment with other therapeutic programs; provides clinical expertise to treatment teams; performs discharge planning; performs basic risk assessment and participates in risk management.

Applicants for this position are required to submit a license to practice medicine and surgery in Connecticut.  This document must be uploaded with your application.

Open to the public.

In a state agency this class is accountable for providing clinical administrative and/or supervisory functions and/or direct care medical services as a board certified physician.

Provides 24 hour medical supervision to specified groups of patients and facility coverage as scheduled including on-call and weekend coverage; makes rounds and provides direct care and clinical oversight of multi-disciplinary treatment teams; coordinates work of medical staff with related programs; reviews treatment plans, medical records, diagnoses and patient discharge plans for adherence to policies and/or The Joint Commission (TJC) and Health Care Financing Authority (HCFA) standards; provides education and training as indicated, e.g. grand rounds and case conferences; assigns, oversees and evaluates work of staff and on-site night duty physicians; conducts and/or participates in meetings on medical and administrative policy, research programs, medical program development and treatment techniques; assesses, examines and evaluates patients for admission or discharge; monitors the use of special treatment procedures; assesses, examines, diagnoses and prescribes appropriate medications and other biologic treatments; consults on difficult and/or complex cases; develops and implements QA/QI process improvement initiatives; prepares and/or reviews reports, medical records and correspondence; perform utilization review and management functions; attends court hearings as a state witness; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of methods and principles of medicine and surgery; considerable knowledge of current principles and methods of assessment and treatment of patients with medical illness, mental illness and substance abuse disorders; considerable knowledge of recent developments in field of medicine and substance abuse including treatment models and best practices; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to examine for, diagnose, assess and treat patients with illnesses and substance abuse disorders; considerable ability to prescribe medications and other treatments specific to medical illness, mental illness and substance abuse disorders; ability to develop a collaborative group practice environment with other physicians, psychiatrists and members of interdisciplinary teams; ability to analyze and interpret laboratory reports, x-ray reports and other medical reports and findings; administrative/supervisory ability.

Incumbents in this class must possess and retain certification in the field of internal medicine, family medicine, or related specialty, from an appropriate medical specialty board.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice medicine and surgery in Connecticut. A temporary license may be granted for a period not to exceed one (1) year.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain certification as a specialist in addictions medicine from the American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM).
3. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. 1320a-7b(f).
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.