Principal Psychiatrist

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction is actively recruiting for multiple Principal Psychiatrists to join our Healthcare Services Units.

If you thrive in a collaborative work environment that supports patients with mental health, substance abuse and other physiological challenges, and are interested in a career where you can make a positive difference in the lives of the inmate population, we encourage you to apply!

To attract and retain top talent, the State of Connecticut participates in a competitive benefits plan.

Principal Psychiatrists at the DOC receive the following incentives:

• Work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
• In addition to the base annual salary, you may be approved for a recruitment incentive of up to thirty thousand dollars ($30,000);
• Physicians who are Board Certified in their area of practice will be eligible to receive a three thousand dollar ($3,000) annual bonus;
• Physicians who have a job related second Board (e.g. Forensic psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, etc.) will be eligible to receive a five thousand dollars ($5,000) annual bonus;
• A hazardous duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV) with the ability to retire in 25 years- with pension and healthcare benefits;
• Excellent Health benefits along with additional supplemental benefits;
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• A fantastic work-life balance with a flexible on-call schedule and a manageable patient workload;
• A challenging yet rewarding experience!

YOUR ROLE

Our Principal Psychiatrists will providing mental health services to our inmate population. Provision of high quality medical care is essential to our mission of leading safe and secure facilities while ensuring the wellness of our inmate population, our staff and the general public.

These positions are full time (40 hours per week) and offered on a first-shift schedule of 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. 

We are hiring for the following facilities and selected candidates can be assigned any unit or location:

• Bridgeport Correctional Center – Bridgeport, CT
• Brooklyn Correctional Institution – Brooklyn, CT
• Cheshire Correctional Center - Cheshire, CT
• York Correctional Institution - East Lyme, CT
• Carl Robinson Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT
• Cybulski Community Reintegration Center - Enfield, CT
• Hartford Correctional Center - Hartford, CT
• Corrigan Correctional Center - Montville, CT
• New Haven Correctional Center - New Haven, CT
• Garner Correctional Institution - Newtown, CT
• Osborn Correctional Institution - Somers, CT
• MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution - Suffield, CT

More information about our facilities can be found here.

OUR MISSION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law abiding and accountable behaviors. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR STAFF

“Working in corrections is a unique experience that has provided me with a strong, predictable income with generous benefits.  More importantly, I get to work in an environment that allows me to care for the sickest and in many cases underserved mentally ill patients in our community without insurance restrictions.  I enjoy access to a generous, nearly unlimited formulary, and I can refer for somatic treatments without insurance impediments, as well.  I find the work rewarding on multiple levels, from the patients who have stabilized well within our system to working with some of the most talented nurses, psychologists, medical doctors and social workers in their fields.  I feel good coming to work every day knowing that the work I do matters!”  Dr. G. Gagne, Principal Psychiatrist 

Learn more about what it's like to be a Psychiatrist at the State of Connecticut: 

This role is non-examined and open to the public.

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on listed within the job classification.

TO APPLY

• Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU APPLY

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Should you have any questions about the position, please contact Samantha Rivera, Human Resources Specialist – Talent Solutions at Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov 

In the Departments of Children and Families and Correction, this class is accountable for providing clinical administrative/supervisory functions and/or direct care psychiatric services as a board certified advanced clinician.

Provides 24 hour supervision to specified groups of patients and facility coverage as scheduled including on-call coverage 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, clinical 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 and/or psychiatrists; conducts and/or participates in meetings on clinical and administrative policy, research programs, clinical program development and treatment techniques; assesses, examines and evaluates patients for admission or discharge; assesses, examines, diagnoses and prescribes appropriate medications and other biologic and psychosocial treatments for patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders; performs advanced level risk assessments; consults on difficult and/or complex cases; develops and implements QA and/or QI process improvement initiatives; prepares and/or reviews reports, medical records and correspondence; performs utilization review and management functions; attends court hearings as a state witness; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of methods and principles of behavioral health medicine; considerable knowledge of current principles and methods of assessment and treatment of patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders; considerable knowledge of recent developments in field of psychiatry 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 psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders; considerable ability to prescribe and conduct psychotherapy, medications and other treatments specific to psychiatric and substance abuse disorders; ability to develop a collaborative group practice environment with other psychiatrists, physicians and members of interdisciplinary teams; ability to analyze and interpret laboratory reports, x-rays and other medical and/or psychological reports and findings; administrative/supervisory ability.

Incumbents in this class must possess and retain certification as a specialist in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or board certification in Adult or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

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 must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. 1320a-7b(f).

3. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain certification as a specialist in an area such as geriatrics, ABI/TBI, forensics, substance abuse, etc.

4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess appropriate current licenses, certifications or permits.

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.