PSYCHIATRIST

Job Specifications

Class Code:	PR5
Analyst:  JAD, NP, CJS

Date Originated:

4/88

Date Revised:  08/07

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to make psychiatric diagnoses and apply psychiatric treatment methods; to provide medical supervision and medication planning and management for mental health clients; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class are responsible for conducting psychiatric examinations and evaluations, making psychiatric diagnosis, applying psychiatric treatment, and providing medical supervision and medication management for a wide variety of mental health clients. Incumbents provide on-call after hours and weekend consultation for the Detention Facilities and other programs as needed. Positions in this class receive medical, technical and administrative direction from a Psychiatric Medical Director or the Chief of Psychiatry.

TYPICAL TASKS

Conducts comprehensive psychiatric examinations and evaluations for new clients, reviews medical records, makes diagnosis and initiates medical treatment or other therapy; assesses status of ongoing psychiatric clients, reviews medication and treatment history, prescribes medication, explains risk/benefits of medications, refers to appropriate sources of ongoing treatment; provides psychiatric consultation to staff, physicians, other departments, community agencies and groups; confers with clients' relatives concerning clients' mental illnesses and treatment plan; may conduct staff conferences and in-service training programs; provides clinical supervision to mental health clinician staff, psychologists and student interns; reviews and approves treatment plans, crisis intervention strategies and involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations; may conduct individual or group psychotherapy; reviews clinical reports, medical records, lab tests and physical exam reports; maintains medical records and prepares reports; prepares comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medical progress notes and official letters and other documentation; provides treatment to the most distressed clients; assesses clients reaction to drug therapy to find the most appropriate drug with the fewest side effects; determines temporary disability and need for conservatorship; acts as a program consultant to alcohol treatment providers and geriatric service providers; may testify in court; attends meetings and conferences; may input, access and analyze data using a computer terminal.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of psychiatry;
• Thorough knowledge of the uses and effects of medication in psychiatric and related conditions;
• Thorough knowledge of individual and group psychotherapy;
• Working knowledge of current developments in the field of psychiatry;
• Working knowledge of mental health services, organization and procedures;
• Working knowledge of the principles and applications of clinical psychology, psychiatric work and various rehabilitative services.

Ability to:

• Make expert psychiatric diagnoses, interpretations and recommendations;
• Provide effective medical therapy for the full range of mental illness;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative, medical and non-medical staff, clients and the public;
• Prepare clear and concise reports;
• Maintain a variety of records and reports pertaining to medical and non-medical services;
• Testify in court;
• Analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action;
• Conduct in-service training programs;
• Learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer.

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

• Graduation from an approved medical school and satisfactory completion of a three year psychiatric residency approved by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Possession of a valid Physician and Surgeon's License issued by the State of California.  If licensed in another state, candidates may participate in the recruitment and examination process, however possession of a valid Physician and Surgeon’s License issued by the State of California is required at the time of appointment.

Bargaining Unit: 85
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 50
Workers Comp Code:  0290