PSYCHIATRIST

Overview

The Psychiatrist, in the Psychiatric Emergency Room, is responsible to provide diagnostic assessment and crisis intervention for patients brought from the community by Emergency Medical Service and referred from various community mental health services. The Psychiatrist must assess the issue of danger to self or others and the need for inpatient hospitalization for psychiatrically ill and substance abusing patients.

Responsibilities

• The psychiatrist provides diagnostic assessment for each patient through a psychiatric interview. The diagnostic assessment includes but is not limited to an assessment of risk of hurting self or others.
• The psychiatrist, with the input of the other E.R. staff including the RN and Substance Abuse Counselor, determines the required level and type of care for this patient. The psychiatrist may determine that the patient requires inpatient care and will complete a 9.39 MHL (One Physician Certification) which allows the inpatient hospitalization against the will of the patient.
• The psychiatrist evaluates psychiatric, substance abuse, and medical issues. The psychiatrist may request medical consultation from the physicians of the General ER and will collaborate with those physicians in determining the safest and appropriate disposition whether inpatient psychiatry, detoxification, or inpatient medical/surgical care.
• The psychiatrist documents the findings in the medical record, obtains consent, and provides initial orders for inpatient psychiatric care and detoxification. If the patient does not require inpatient care the psychiatrist will provide an aftercare referral recommendation if appropriate.
• The psychiatric coverage is available 24 hours per day. The psychiatrist assigned to the Psychiatric ER is responsible to provide emergency psychiatric services for the acute psychiatric inpatient service and substance abuse inpatient services evenings, nights, and weekends.
• The psychiatrist in the ER serves as the administrative presence for the Department of Psychiatry during other than business hours. The psychiatrist has telephone back up from the Assistant Director Psychiatry, the Asst. V.P. Psychiatry and the Chairman/ Sr. VP Medical Affairs.
• The psychiatrist will provide consultations and liaison services for the general hospital as assigned.
• The psychiatrist will provide psychiatric assessment and referral recommendations for children under the age of 18 who are seeking mental health services. Though the children are provided services in the Pediatric ER, the Psychiatrist provides consultation and assists with obtaining the required inpatient mental health services at other facilities in the community.
• The psychiatrist will participate with other MD in Psychiatrists meetings, hospital committees as assigned, and will collaborate with physicians in medical surgical areas of the hospital in the management of psychiatric patients.
• May have unsupervised patient contact in the course of performing their duties.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
• Board Eligible or Board Certified in Psychiatry.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.

Licenses, Certifications:

• Licensed and currently registered in New York State.
• The Psychiatrist will be credentialed as a member of the Medical Staff of Interfaith Medical Center.

Physical Requirements:

• Involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting and talking.
• May include some repetitive motions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions without compromising patient care.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Interfaith Medical Center (IMC).

IMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.