COMMUNITY HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES
DEPARTMENT: Adult Mental Health Services
POSITION TITLE: Psychiatrist
FINAL: July 17, 2001
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR: Katherine Carter
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Therapy and Medication Unit Psychiatrist provides psychiatric evaluations, determines
diagnoses, prescribes and monitors medications, and does follow-up treatment and psychotherapy.
The psychiatrist sees clients who may potentially benefit from psychotropic medications.
Psychiatric services are expected to increase diagnostic understanding of clients, enhance the
emotional stability of clients, and if possible, raise clients’ emotional and behavioral functioning
levels.
The psychiatrist provides clinical expertise and consults with staff and community service
providers, especially regarding medication management. The psychiatrist collaborates with family
members and significant others, as appropriate. Most clients will also have other AMHS service
providers. The minority of clients are followed only psychiatrically, thus necessitating a case
management role in service planning and paper work.
The psychiatrist provides emergency coverage for clients on his/her caseload, as well as back-up
coverage for clients of other CHCS psychiatrists . The psychiatrist performs certifying
examinations for involuntary emergency hospital admissions. The psychiatrist usually sees clients
in agency offices and only on rare occasions in community settings. The psychiatrist receives
administrative supervision and eventual peer consultation within AMHS and CHCS.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives administrative support and direction from the Medical Director. Peer consultation with
other CHCS psychiatrists.
COLLABORATES WITH:
AMHS and other CHCS direct service, supervisory, and managment staff.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS: (Includes Essential Job Functions)
1.
Provides psychiatric evaluations.
2.
Determines psychiatric diagnoses.
3.
Prescribes and monitors medications with individuals.
4.
Consults with staff regarding medication management.
5.
Provides education and consultation regarding psychopharmacology and diagnosis to individuals,
staff members, other service providers and family members, as appropriate.
6.
Ensures safe storage of medications.
7.
Provides psychotherapy.
Job Description: Psychiatrist, Therapy Services
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8.
Provides follow-up treatment to individuals.
9.
Provides certifying examinations for emergency involuntary admissions to psychiatric facilities.
10.
Participates in Therapy Unit and department staff meetings as necessary.
11.
Collaborates with family members and significant others as appropriate.
12.
Provides emergency consultations.
13.
Provides vacation or sick time coverage for other CHCS psychiatrists.
14.
Provides treatment documentation as required by agency policies including client consent for
treatment.
15.
Participates in quality assurance and improvemnt activities.
16.
Primary Clinician for clients who have neither a community support worker or therapist.
17.
May, in long-term unavailability of other qualified staff, approve service plans for AMHS aftercare workers and therapists and Home Health Certification Plan of treatment plans.
AGENCY RELATED FUNCTIONS:
1.
Understands and follows agency and departmental policies and procedures.
2.
Completes and submits accurate and timely reports.
3.
Functions in a cost effective manner with regard to utilization of time, mileage, and job related
expenses.
4.
Attends agency meetings as required.
5.
Seeks consultation as needed and participates in the supervisory process.
6.
Provides added individual and program consultation around any area in which (s)he may have
special expertise.
7.
Represents the agency in a professional manner.
8.
Participates in the orientation of new employees as requested.
9.
Obtains and maintains applicable licensure and certifications.
10.
Participates in required and elective staff development activities in accord with the individual staff
development plan (minimum of 30 hours per year).
Job Description: Psychiatrist, Therapy Services
Page 3
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty
satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or
ability required.
Education and Experience: Licensed to practice Medicine in the State of Maine Board, eligible or
certified in Psychiatry. Must be a certified provider under Medicaid and Medicare programs and
other insurance programs, as indicated. Experience working with people who have major mental
illness desired.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee
to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
While performing the duties of this job it is regularly required to sit and use hands to write and/or
operate a computer and use telephone communication devices. The employee must be able to sit
and drive a car to transport him/herself to meetings or other CHCS offices.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characterstics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The usual environment is indoors in an office. The employee maybe required to transport
him/herself to meetings with other agencies or other components of AMHS or CHCS.
JOB PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:
Employee must satisfactorily complete a 6 month probation period. At that time, employees may be
granted regular status or may be continued on a probationary status for an additional six months.
Subsequent job performance evaluations will occur on an annual basis.
As an independent licensed practitioner, employee is subject to conditions of the credentialing and
privileging process.
APPROVED BY:
___________________________________
Katherine Carter
Date
Director, AMHS