Placer County

(Unclassified)

Under general direction, provides direct psychiatric care and treatment for complex mental health patients; ­­serves primarily Medi-Cal eligible children and adults in need of comprehensive care; will serve non-Medi-Cal children and adults on occasion, usually at the direction of the courts, or due to an urgent situation; and works as part of a treatment team. 

This position serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority having no specific term and no property right to continuous employment and can be released without cause.  

Psychiatrist (Board Eligible) - Incumbents must have completed a United States psychiatry residency training program and be eligible to be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry at the time of appointment to this class.  Incumbents are expected to obtain certification in order to be considered for promotion to the next higher level of Psychiatrist (Board Certified).  

Psychiatrist (Board Certified) - Incumbents have all of the duties and responsibilities of the Psychiatrist (Board Eligible) but must be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry at the time of appointment.

Receives direction from assigned management staff in the Department of Health and Human Services.  

May exercise technical and functional medical supervision over professional, technical and clinical staff in the administration of program areas.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide psychiatric consultation to other treatment staff, both on staff and in the community if requested.
• Provide medical direction for the agency in the absence of the Chief Psychiatrist.
• Examine, diagnose and treat mental health patients. P
• Prescribe and administer psychiatric treatment within the scope of practice associated with licensure and board certification, if required.    
• Perform or assist in performing medically indicated psychiatric treatments, operations, procedures and follow-up care.
• Provide Expert Witness court testimony in related cases as required.
• Write prescriptions; review reports, records and general progress of patients.
• Attend and participate in staff conferences for the mental health and other co-occurring conditions (e.g. substance use, physical health, etc.) of various patients and their diagnosis and treatment.
• Maintain and keep current appropriate clinical documentation and write psychiatric evaluation reports as required.
• Prepare reports and related correspondence.
• Using a multi-disciplinary and family and consumer centered approach to care, build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other county employees, and the public using principles of good customer service and professional communication.
• Provide on call/stand by coverage when assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience: Two years of responsible experience providing psychiatric services to identified target populations.

Training: Possession of the required medical license is proof of sufficient education in this class.

Knowledge of:

• Practices and principles of general medicine, and psychiatry.
• Hospital and clinical practice and administration.
• Psychiatric social work and the various rehabilitation therapies, including general tenants of recovery and resiliency, and trauma-informed practices.
• Current methods and standards of diagnosing and treating mental disorders, contra indications and adverse reactions to common psychiatric medications. Equipment, tools, supplies and technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.
• Pertinent local, state and federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Principles and practices of work safety, especially as related to communicable diseases.
• Practices and principles of general psychiatry, modern inpatient hospital practice, rehabilitation therapies for mental disorders, substance use disorders and co-occurring diagnosis.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; explain medical findings, diagnoses, and treatment to staff, patients, families, and court officers.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time while reviewing charts and patient histories and preparing reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, twist and reach while examining/treating patients. Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk or treatment area; perform simple task grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with acuity sufficient to examine, diagnose and treat patients; and lift or carry weight of 25 pounds or less.
• Examine, diagnose and treat mental disorders in adults, adolescents, and children, coordinate with case manager or nursing staff when appropriate for a particular case, interpret laboratory analyses.
• Interpret laboratory analysis.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Work unusual and/or prolonged work schedules.
• Obtain information through interview; deal fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple cases; and work effectively with interruption.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Provide medical direction to mental health staff as a part of a clinical team, prepare and oversee the preparation of case histories, evaluations, diagnoses and the maintenance of client records.
• Consult with clinic staff, provider staff and primary care physicians as necessary for the treatment and triage of clients, evaluate clients with complex psychiatric issues, attend staff meetings and clinic meetings as appropriate, and provide testimony at court appearances when clients are involved in legal system. 
   

Length of Probation:

• This classification serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority and has no specific term and no right to continuous employment.

Bargaining Unit:

• Unclassified