Principal Psychiatrist (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Bridgeport, CT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Connecticut Department of Correction is hiring Principal Psychiatrists for its Healthcare Services Units. Openings may be filled at correctional facilities in Bridgeport, Cheshire, East Lyme, Hartford, and Newtown, and this recruitment may also be used for future vacancies statewide. This is a hazardous-duty position; selected candidates must attend 14 weeks of paid hazardous-duty training at the Maloney Center for Training & Staff Development in Cheshire, Connecticut. Principal Psychiatrists provide direct psychiatric care and may perform clinical administrative and supervisory functions as board-certified advanced clinicians. They work with a multidisciplinary healthcare team serving a vulnerable patient population, in a collaborative setting with nursing and administrative support. The role includes clinical care for patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance-use disorders, as well as oversight, consultation, quality-improvement, utilization-review, and administrative work. The position uses a modern electronic health record and offers 16 hours per month of paid continuing medical education or professional development/maintenance of certification. The stated schedule is first shift, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Voluntary on-call and weekend coverage are available for additional reimbursement. Compensation follows a 10-step salary plan agreed upon by the State of Connecticut and the 1199 Bargaining Union. The posting lists starting salaries from $253,879 to $285,743 depending on years of psychiatric experience, with higher listed amounts for an additional board certification specialty. A recruitment incentive of up to $30,000 may be approved, and annual bonuses are available for board certification and a job-related second board certification.

Requirements

Possess and retain certification as a psychiatry specialist from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, or board certification in Adult or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Possess and retain a Connecticut license to practice medicine and surgery; a temporary license may be granted for up to one year.
Maintain eligibility to participate in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f).
Demonstrate considerable knowledge of behavioral health medicine and current assessment and treatment methods for psychiatric illnesses and substance-use disorders.
Demonstrate knowledge of developments in psychiatry and substance-use treatment, including treatment models and best practices.
Have interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills.
Be able to examine, diagnose, assess, and treat patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance-use disorders, and prescribe and conduct psychotherapy, medication, and other relevant treatments.
Be able to develop a collaborative group-practice environment with psychiatrists, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members.
Be able to analyze and interpret laboratory reports, x-rays, and other medical or psychological reports and findings.
Have administrative and supervisory ability.
Attend 14 weeks of paid hazardous-duty training if selected.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a specialist in an additional area such as geriatrics, ABI/TBI, forensics, or substance abuse may be required for some positions.
Bilingual ability may be required for some positions.
Additional job-related board certification may qualify physicians for an annual bonus.

Responsibilities

Provide scheduled 24-hour supervision to specified patient groups and facility coverage, including on-call and weekend coverage as scheduled.
Conduct rounds and provide direct patient care and clinical oversight of multidisciplinary treatment teams.
Coordinate medical staff work with related programs.
Review treatment plans, clinical records, diagnoses, and discharge plans for compliance with policies and applicable standards.
Provide education and training, including grand rounds and case conferences.
Assign, oversee, and evaluate staff and on-site night-duty physicians and/or psychiatrists.
Participate in meetings on clinical and administrative policy, research programs, clinical program development, and treatment techniques.
Assess and examine patients for admission or discharge.
Assess, examine, diagnose, and prescribe medications and other biologic and psychosocial treatments for patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance-use disorders.
Perform advanced-level risk assessments and consult on difficult or complex cases.
Develop and implement quality-assurance and/or quality-improvement initiatives.
Prepare and/or review reports, medical records, and correspondence.
Perform utilization review and management functions.
Attend court hearings as a state witness.
Perform related duties as required.

Benefits

Medical and dental coverage.
Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings, including a 25-year hazardous-duty retirement under State Employees Retirement System Tier IV.
13 paid holidays per calendar year.
Eligibility to apply for the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
16 hours per month of paid Continuing Medical Education or Professional Development/Maintenance of Certification.
A work culture that promotes work-life balance.
Potential recruitment incentive of $30,000.
Potential annual bonus of $3,000 for physicians board-certified in their area of practice.
Potential annual bonus of $5,000 for physicians with a job-related second board certification.
Additional reimbursement for voluntary on-call and weekend coverage.