Primary Care Physician

State of Nebraska•Lincoln, NE

11d•$2•Onsite

About The Position

Join a dedicated and mission-driven team providing critical mental health services in the heart of the Midwest. As a Primary Care Physician at DHHS you will play a vital role in delivering compassionate, evidence-based care while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team committed to improving outcomes for individuals experiencing serious mental illness. The primary care physician is responsible for managing the physical health of patients under the care of DHHS. These patients often have complex medical needs alongside psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. The physician acts as the main medical provider within the psychiatric setting, addressing both chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension as well as acute medical issues such as infections or injuries. This role requires a strong foundation in primary care medicine combined with an understanding of how psychiatric illness and treatment impacts physical health. Daily, the physician typically conducts medical rounds on psychiatric units, evaluating patients’ vital signs, laboratory results, and any new or ongoing medical complaints. They work closely with psychiatrists, APRNs nurses, pharmacist and other treatment team members, often responding to consultations when medical concerns arise. Another key responsibility is performing admission medical evaluations to ensure that new patients are medically stable and that any underlying medical conditions contributing to psychiatric symptoms are identified and treated early. A major component of the role involves monitoring and managing the side effects of psychiatric medications, such as antipsychotics, lithium, and clozapine, which can lead to significant complications, including metabolic syndrome, kidney dysfunction, or blood disorders. The primary care physician will also collaborate and provide expertise to the Lincoln Regional Center, Whitehall campus and in the future to Beatrice State Developmental Center.

Requirements

M.D. degree and license to practice medicine in the state of Nebraska
General Practice: three years experience as a visiting physician at an approved hospital or two years of experience as a staff physician at an approved hospital.
Specialty Field: three years of residency training in a recognized medical specialty in an approved hospital plus eligibility for, or possession of, certification in one of the medical specialty field.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of how psychiatric illness and treatment impacts physical health.

Responsibilities

Managing the physical health of patients under the care of DHHS.
Addressing both chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension as well as acute medical issues such as infections or injuries.
Conducting medical rounds on psychiatric units, evaluating patients’ vital signs, laboratory results, and any new or ongoing medical complaints.
Performing admission medical evaluations to ensure that new patients are medically stable and that any underlying medical conditions contributing to psychiatric symptoms are identified and treated early.
Monitoring and managing the side effects of psychiatric medications.
Collaborating and providing expertise to the Lincoln Regional Center, Whitehall campus and in the future to Beatrice State Developmental Center.