Principal Psychiatrist (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut • Bridgeport, CT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) has exciting opportunities for multiple Principal Psychiatrists to join their Healthcare Services Units. This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies at facilities across the State, including Bridgeport, Cheshire, East Lyme, Newtown, and Suffield. The role involves providing clinical administrative/supervisory functions and/or direct care psychiatric services as a board-certified advanced clinician. The position offers a unique experience in corrections, providing care to underserved mentally ill patients without insurance restrictions, with access to a generous formulary and the ability to refer for somatic treatments without impediments. The work is rewarding, with opportunities to stabilize patients and collaborate with talented nurses, psychologists, medical doctors, and social workers.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• May be required to possess and retain certification as a specialist in an area such as geriatrics, ABI/TBI, forensics, substance abuse, etc.
• May be required to possess appropriate current licenses, certifications or permits.
• May be required to be bilingual.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings, including a 25-year hazardous duty retirement (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV)
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
• Eligibility to apply for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance
• Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) may be approved as a recruitment incentive
• A three thousand dollar ($3,000) annual bonus will be eligible for physicians who are Board-Certified in their area of practice.
• Physicians who have a job related second Board (e.g., Forensic psychiatry, Addiction psychiatry, etc.) will be eligible to receive a five thousand dollar ($5,000) annual bonus.
• Voluntary on-call coverage and weekend coverage are available at additional reimbursement.
• 16 hours per month paid Continuing Medical Education or Professional Development / Maintenance of Certification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal