Staff Psychiatrist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

11d•$20,971 - $23,121

About The Position

The Staff Psychiatrist performs highly advanced psychiatric assessment and treatment work at Austin State Hospital and reports directly to the State Hospital Medical Director. The role involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating hospital patients; providing specialized psychiatric treatments and procedures; monitoring clinical trends and quality-of-care data; and developing individualized, person-centered recovery plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary Recovery Teams. The psychiatrist documents assessments, decisions, recommendations, and treatment in the electronic health record and ensures plans are implemented through consultation, guidance, or training for team members and direct care staff. The position participates in hospital meetings, committees, audits, and performance-improvement activities, and may lead discussions and guide implementation of changes to care. It involves collaboration with patients, families, guardians, legally authorized representatives, psychiatrists, neurologists, medical staff, psychologists, and other disciplines. The psychiatrist works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and may plan, assign, guide, or supervise others depending on the hospital’s structure. The role is full-time and regular, based at Austin State Hospital in Austin, Texas. The position is listed as day shift and eligible for telework, with travel up to 10%. Flexibility in work hours may be required, including rotating schedules, overtime, or extended hours. Disaster response or Continuity of Operations activation may require an alternate shift pattern or work location.

Requirements

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.).
Must have or be able to obtain an unrestricted Texas medical license before the start date.
Must be board certified or board eligible, having completed a psychiatry residency, before the start date.
Knowledge of general medicine and general psychiatry methods and procedures.
Knowledge of person-centered individualized care and recovery-plan development, implementation, and documentation.
Knowledge of psychiatric treatment principles and ability to collaborate with staff.
Knowledge of state formulary maximum-dose guidelines and ability to document exceptions with attention to efficacy, safety, and tolerance.
Knowledge and skills in providing services to people with psychiatric disorders in an inpatient hospital setting.
Knowledge and skills in using electronic healthcare systems and Microsoft Office products.
Skills in patient care and treatment and in using medical and psychiatric diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment.
Ability to assess, diagnose, and prescribe or supervise treatment in accordance with local policy, Texas Administrative Code, and applicable laws.
Ability to examine, diagnose, and treat mental disorders; interpret psychological diagnoses and analyses; and direct psychiatric activities.
Ability to develop policies and procedures and prepare or supervise preparation of psychiatric histories and medical records.
Ability to address medically difficult issues using consultant opinions and appropriate literature, including accepted guidelines.
Ability to facilitate a unified Recovery Team approach involving patients and the expertise of team members.
Ability to participate in continuous quality improvement and follow improvement plans and state initiatives.
Ability to manage polypharmacy and justify and document the use of multiple psychotropic medications when necessary.
Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
Ability to work independently using sound judgment and advanced time-management skills.
Ability to participate in annual and other required training, including CPR and safe use of restraints.
Ability to organize and present information effectively in writing and orally.
Must pass required fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks.
Must be at least 18 years old to work at a state-operated facility.
Must comply with HHSC immunization policy and applicable state hospital immunization procedures.
Must provide I-9 documentation on the first day of work; HHSC uses E-Verify.

Nice To Haves

At least three years of experience working as a psychiatrist is preferred.
Twelve months of experience working with people with psychiatric disorders is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct psychiatric assessments and administer psychiatric treatments and medications in accordance with State Hospital policies and procedures.
Establish physician-patient relationships through in-person contact or telemedicine, including immediate contact with newly admitted individuals.
Select effective medications and dosages; review laboratory work; conduct medication reviews and audits; and document deliberations and recommendations accurately and promptly in the electronic health record.
Develop and implement individualized, person-centered psychiatric recovery plans that account for patients’ needs, strengths, preferences, treatment history, and least-restrictive interventions.
Organize recovery-plan implementation timeframes and guide Recovery Teams and direct care staff in implementing plans.
Conduct required performance-improvement reviews with Recovery Team members and participate in meetings, committees, and conference calls concerning clinical psychiatric issues.
Read and analyze medical records; lead discussions in staff meetings; and provide recommendations to family members, guardians, and legally authorized representatives when requested.
Obtain timely medication consents.
Collaborate with neurology for individuals with dual diagnoses, share necessary information with neurologists, and document the collaboration in psychiatry notes.
Consult with psychiatrists, medical staff, psychologists, and other professionals to develop interventions, identify environmental factors affecting care, and coordinate medication and behavior therapy for restraint reduction.
Manage acute psychiatric care, including authorizing emergency restraints and writing orders for emergency medication use.
Review and monitor clinical system data and trends, address identified quality issues, recommend recovery-plan changes, and participate in desk and onsite audits.
Maintain communication with the Medical Director, Superintendent, and other staff to support continuity of services.
Participate in medical staff committees and subcommittees, including Utilization Management, Infection Control, and Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Participate in required training and comply with HHSC and HIPAA policies, applicable state and federal requirements, Joint Commission standards, and CMS conditions of participation.
Develop, implement, organize, and provide leadership in Psychiatric Services.
Plan, assign, and guide the work of others in multidisciplinary patient care; may supervise staff, provide feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and take corrective action depending on hospital structure.
Participate in or support disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.