COUNTY PSYCHIATRIST SUPERVISOR                                                         L1192

Definition:

This is professional medical and supervisory work in the field of psychiatry or child psychiatry in a community mental health/mental retardation program.

An employee in this class is responsible for supervising a major segment of the total psychiatric services in a community mental health/mental retardation program, such as admissions, children's adolescent, in-patient, out-patient, or other comparable component. Employees develop operational procedures, interpret policies and services to staff personnel, and coordinate psychiatric services with other professional services for assigned groups of patients. Supervision is exercised over subordinate County Staff Psychiatrists, nurses, and other professional and non-professional staff. Work is performed under the general direction of a County Chief Psychiatrist or other administrative supervisor and is reviewed for conformance with current, accepted psychiatric and medical principles and techniques through staff conferences, case reports, observation during performance and evaluation of results.

Examples of Work:

Supervises the psychiatric care and treatment of patients in a major segment of a community mental health/mental retardation program such as admissions, children's adolescent, in-patient, or other comparable component.

Makes ward rounds and periodic inspections to check on the care and treatment of patients and to discuss, observe, and advise on individual patient treatment, as needed.

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

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

Directs and instructs County Staff Psychiatrists, resident physicians, nurses, medical students and other professional and non-professional staff in the care and treatment of the mentally ill.

Administers or directs the administration of treatments using somatic, group, and milieu therapy, and other psychotherapeutic methods and medications.

Consults with physicians in other medical specialties when indicated for the well-being of patients.

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

Acts as consultant in unusual and

difficult psychiatric cases and advises County Staff Psychiatrists and others on formulation of treatment plans, and a variety of psychiatric and/or medical problems.

Participates in developing and coordinating policies and procedures related to psychiatric services.

Prepares periodic progress reports in reference to the psychiatric program.

Interprets policies and procedures to subordinate staff and coordinates the delivery of psychiatric services with other discipline services within assigned area(s).

Supervises County Staff Psychiatrists and other professional and non-professional staff.

Prepares and signs employee performance evaluations; interviews prospective employees and recommends employee selection or ranks applicants in terms of preferability of employment; approves leave, schedules work assignments, and investigates and resolves or recommends solution to grievances or complaints.

Reviews and identifies training needs of staff; initiates training recommendations, plans and conducts training, and demonstrates more efficient work methods.

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.

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

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/or 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 field of neurology, general medicine and surgery.

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

Knowledge of the principles and methods of supervision.

Knowledge of applicable policies and 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.

Skill in reviewing assessments of patient functioning level, strengths, needs and progress relative to treatment plan requirements.

Skill in observing and evaluating psychiatric services, and in directing staff in adapting treatment to meet individual patient needs.

Ability to examine patients, interpret results of findings, make decisions and to prescribe or carry out course of treatment.

Ability to communicate with and gain the confidence and cooperation of patients and to instill and maintain a cooperative attitude throughout the care and treatment process.

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

Ability to use clinical and program data in planning, evaluating, and directing psychiatric services for an assigned group of patients.

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

Ability to follow general instruction and applicable policies in carrying out the care and treatment function.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, agency personnel, and the general public.

Minimum Experience and Training:

One year as a County Staff Psychiatrist;

or

One year of experience in psychiatry or child psychiatry 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:

Certain 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.

Date Established or Last Revised Class Specification - 1997

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST13