08/12/1996 37550

CHIEF OF CLINICAL SERVICES, M.H.

DEFINITION: This is professional medical and administrative work in the field of clinical services in a state mental hospital or in a forensic treatment center at a state correctional institution.

An employee in this class is responsible for the administration and coordination of hospital psychiatric and medical services, and provides direction and consultation on clinical matters to nursing and other services. Work includes participation in the formulation of treatment and administrative procedures for clinical services and insuring their coordination with the social and rehabilitative programs of the hospital or forensic treatment center. Employees maintain standards of professional services and participate in the recruitment and selection of principal clinical services staff. Work is performed under the general direction of the hospital superintendent or deputy superintendent for forensic services and is reviewed for conformance to broad departmental and hospital or institutional policies and established procedures through conferences, reports, and evaluation of results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs and coordinates the administration of psychiatric and medical services at a state mental hospital or forensic treatment center.

Provides direction and consultation on a variety of clinical matters to hospital and forensic treatment center nursing and social and rehabilitative services staff.

Participates in the formulation of treatment and administrative procedures for hospital clinical and forensic treatment services; and insures the coordination of such services with other hospital and forensic treatment programs.

Confers with the hospital superintendent or deputy superintendent for forensic services, other program directors, and department heads in the formulation of hospital clinical or forensic treatment programs.

Participates in the recruitment and selection of principal clinical services or forensic treatment staff.

Prepares and submits periodic progress reports concerning hospital clinical services or forensic treatment services; provides administrative coordination of training and other hospital programs or forensic treatment programs and special grants with the regular clinical programs of the facility.

Participates with the hospital superintendent or deputy superintendent for forensic services and department heads in the formulation and implementation of administrative procedures, rules and regulations pertinent to hospital clinical or forensic treatment services.

Directs psychiatric, medical, and nursing staff; acts as consultant in unusual or difficult cases and advises professional staff, as necessary, regarding a variety of problems.

Confers with relatives of patients or inmates, attorneys, physicians, or the general public on matters pertaining to clinical services and hospital or forensic treatment programs.

Represents the hospital at meetings of professional, civic, or other interested community groups in matters pertaining to clinical services and hospital programs.

Participates in staff meetings and departmental or facility conferences.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, and techniques utilized in the field of medical treatment of individuals with mental illness.

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

Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices used in the fields of psychiatry, general medicine, psychiatric nursing, psychiatric social work, psychology, and rehabilitative services.

Knowledge of hospital or correctional institution administration as it applies to clinical services.

Knowledge of laboratory services as related to the treatment of individuals with mental illness.

Knowledge of community mental health agencies such as diagnostic centers, social or welfare agencies, courts, or volunteer groups.

Ability to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate clinical services through individual department and unit heads.

Ability to coordinate the administration of clinical, social and rehabilitative, and other patient care services of the hospital or forensic treatment centers.

Ability to supervise the work of a professional staff.

Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in interpreting and implementing DPW, Office of Mental Health or State Correctional Institution and hospital policies and procedures, delegating responsibilities, and analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of programs provided by the individual clinical services.

Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious relationships with the administrative and professional staff and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Three years of experience in the administration of a major clinical services program in the psychiatric or medical care and treatment of individuals with mental illness, in a psychiatric hospital, community psychiatric program, forensic treatment center or similar setting; and certification in psychiatry or other recognized medical specialty by the American Medical Board or American Osteopathic Board;

or

Three years of experience in the supervision of licensed physicians in a major clinical services program in the psychiatric or medical care and treatment of individuals with mental illness, in a psychiatric hospital, community psychiatric program, forensic treatment center or similar setting; and certification in psychiatry or other recognized medical specialty by the American Medical Board or American Osteopathic Board.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a current and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued by the State Board of Medicine or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine.