09/01/1986 37520

CHIEF OF PSYCHIATRY

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the management of the total psychiatric or child psychiatric services at a state hospital.

An employee in this class has hospital wide responsibility for the planning, management, coordination, evaluation, and integration of psychiatric or child psychiatric services to further comprehensive patient treatment. The employee develops policies and procedures regulating the conduct of all psychiatric or child psychiatric services, continuously evaluates their effectiveness, and promote staff improvement. Supervision is normally exercised over subordinate psychiatrists, physicians, and/or resident physicians in the implementation of hospital-wide psychiatric or child psychiatric services. Work is performed under the general direction of a professional or administrative supervisor and is reviewed to determine quality of services and achievement of established objectives through conferences and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs, coordinates and integrates the total psychiatric or child psychiatric services in a state hospital.

Provides overall direction to subordinate staff in the delivery of all psychiatric or child psychiatric services and participates in providing services to meet individual patient treatment plan objectives.

Develops policies and procedures governing the administration of all psychiatric or child psychiatric services within the hospital. Interprets policies and procedures to hospital staff and coordinates the delivery of all psychiatric/child psychiatric services with other professional services within the hospital.

Supervises clinical and/or professional staff. Prepares and signs performance evaluations. Interviews prospective employees and recommends employee selection or ranks applicants in terms of preferability of employment. Approves leave, schedules work assignments, and authorizes or assigns overtime.

Reviews and evaluates the educational training needs of staff; plans and conducts training; demonstrates more efficient work methods; and arranges for further education and training.

Plans, supervises and participates in in-service training programs and the demonstration of psychiatric/child psychiatric treatment methods and techniques for hospital personnel, such as psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, psychiatric aides and professional and non-professional staff of other disciplines.

Confers with and advises members of the medical staff and allied hospital personnel, agencies, relatives and other interested persons on the care, treatment, and prognosis of patients.

Reviews reports of subordinate staff and prepares and maintains necessary administrative and clinical records and reports.

Attends and participates in staff conferences for the discussion of the diagnosis, treatment, or discharge of patients.

Serves on hospital administrative and policy committees with other department heads.

Testifies as an expert psychiatric witness in legal proceedings regarding patients.

Serves on statewide committees requiring psychiatric expertise.

Reviews reports of patients' laboratory tests to evaluate levels and effectiveness of medications.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and techniques used in the field of psychiatry and child psychiatry, and the relationships between diagnostic findings and therapeutic methodologies.

Knowledge of mental illnesses, their symptoms, treatment and social implications.

Knowledge of the application of psychiatry to individual and group behavior.

Knowledge of the theories and principles used in the fields of neurology, general medicine and surgery.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of administration and supervision.

Knowledge of laboratory methods, equipment and techniques as they relate to the fields of psychiatry and child psychiatry.

Knowledge of departmental and hospital policy and applicable standards.

Knowledge of health and safety policies, procedures, and practices.

Knowledge of principles and methods of in-service training programs pertinent to psychiatric practice, and of out-service training resources.

Knowledge of community agencies engaged in psychiatric or related work such as diagnostic centers, social or welfare agencies, courts, or volunteer groups.

Knowledge of the contractual provisions covering the direction of a work force, including overtime scheduling, grievance handling, etc.

Skill in observing and evaluating hospital-wide psychiatric services, and in directing staff in developing and adapting treatment programs to meet patient needs.

Ability to plan, assign, supervise, coordinate, and evaluate the work of clinical, professional, and non-professional staff.

Ability to direct and instruct resident physicians, nurses, and other hospital discipline staff in current, accepted treatment principles and techniques used in the field of psychiatry and/or child psychiatry.

Ability to use clinical and program data in planning, evaluating, coordinating and directing hospital-wide psychiatric services or child psychiatric services.

Ability to follow broad departmental or hospital policies or legislative regulations in carrying out the care and treatment function.

Ability to provide leadership for subordinate staff and to participate in the administration of all hospital services through the supervision of professional and non-professional staff.

Ability to promote favorable public relations at the community level with reference to the psychiatric services of a state hospital.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with patients, departmental and hospital personnel, and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Psychiatrist Supervisor;

or

Two years of experience in psychiatry or child psychiatry, including one year in a supervisory, administrative, or consultative capacity; and completion of a residency or training program in psychiatry which meets the certification requirements of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American
Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as issued by the State Board of Medical Education and Licensure, or the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Positions in children's and adolescent facilities require completion of a residency program in child psychiatry which meets the certification requirements of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry.