Staff Psychiatrist, Correctional and Rehabilitative Services (Safety)
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: SF38
Class Code: 9758
Established: 07/01/2006
Revised: 12/02/2010
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under general direction, in a State correctional facility or outpatient clinic in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or where Department of Mental Health is used as a contractor to provide diagnostic and treatment services, to perform responsible psychiatric work or in a review, evaluation, or consultative capacity; to maintain order and supervise the conduct of inmates or youthful offenders; to protect and maintain the safety of persons and property; and to do other related work.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Employees in this class may work in any of the State correctional facilities or outpatient clinics in either an institution or a parole setting. Employees may also be used in headquarters or field offices in a review and/or consultative capacity.
In a correctional setting not having extensive psychiatric services, a Staff Psychiatrist may be the only psychiatrist on staff and provide all psychiatric services with assistance from other health care providers. Direction of a general nature may be received from a chief medical officer or Chief of Mental Health, typically on matters of clinical policies and regulations. Administrative direction may be received from the Warden or Regional Administrator.
Staff Psychiatrists working in institutions or outpatient clinics which provide extensive psychiatric services work under the general direction of a psychiatrist of a higher level.
Staff Psychiatrists are responsible for making definitive diagnoses and decisions.
Staff Psychiatrist is the entry and journeyperson level psychiatrist class in State service. Higher level psychiatrist classes involve either supervisory or training and teaching responsibilities.
Typical Tasks
In a correctional setting, examines and diagnoses psychiatric patients; determines type of psychiatric treatment needed; administers psychiatric treatment with assistance, as necessary, from other health care providers; performs clinical psychiatric duties; makes clinical rounds and reviews progress of patients; prescribes changes in treatment when indicated; consults, as necessary, with supervisory psychiatrist on unusual, complex, or serious cases, or presents such cases to a clinical conference for advice or decision; may instruct and supervise interns, residents, and other health care providers, and personnel assigned for special training; participates in staff conferences and clinics; documents care provided in psychiatric/medical records; may provide relatives with information concerning patients in person or by correspondence; may perform research in psychiatry; and may serve periodically as officer-of-the-day.
In a headquarters or field office capacity, reviews, examines, and diagnoses psychiatric patients and patient records and files in mental health programs to determine progress, effectiveness, and/or appropriateness of treatment services offered; determines and recommends the type and degree of psychiatric treatment needed; provides clinical consultation to psychiatric staff in mental health programs on unusual, complex, or serious problems and cases where technical expertise is needed; consults with the Director and staff of a mental health program on correctional psychiatric matters; designs evaluation tools to ensure quality control of State correctional programs; consults with staffs of programs supported by the State concerning psychiatric problems; develops consultative-collaboration efforts with departments within the California Health and Human Services Agency, as well as the Department of Education, in matters relating to the mental health needs of the State; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; prevents escapes and injury by these persons to themselves, others, or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; and inspects premises and searches inmates or youthful offenders for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of the legal requirements for the practice of medicine in California as determined by the Medical Board of California or the California Board of Osteopathic Examiners. (Applicants who are in the process of securing approval of their qualifications by the Medical Board of California or the Board of Osteopathic Examiners will be admitted to the examination, but the Board to which application is made must determine that all legal requirements have been met before candidates will be eligible for appointment.) and
Either Pattern I Possession of a valid certificate in psychiatry issued by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry.
Or Pattern II
Satisfactorily completed specialized training requirements in psychiatry in programs that are either accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), or Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Two patterns of training are acceptable: Either I Completion of a four-year residency program in psychiatry accredited by the ACGME or Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the AOA. (Exception: Any applicant who completed a residency program in psychiatry that was accredited by the ACGME, or the Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the AOA, or certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada at the time the applicant completed the residency will qualify under this pattern of training upon Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation verification that all residency requirements were successfully completed, and if all other requirements are met.)
Or II
Completion of a broad-based clinical year of ACGME or Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the AOA-accredited training program in internal medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics; or an ACGME or Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the AOA-accredited transitional year program that included a minimum of four months of primary care; or an ACGME-accredited residency in a clinical specialty requiring comprehensive and continuous patient care. and
Three years of postgraduate, specialized residency training in an ACGME or Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the AOA-accredited psychiatry program.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles and methods of psychiatry, and skill in their application; current developments in the field of psychiatry; mental health care organization and procedures; principles and application of psychiatric social work, clinical psychology, physical therapy, various rehabilitation therapies, and other ancillary medical services; principles and techniques of psychiatric research; and principles and practices of effective supervision and directing health care providers.
Ability to: Direct the work of others; instruct in the principles and practices of psychiatry; interpret laboratory analyses; prepare and supervise the preparation of case histories and the keeping of health care records; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; maintain effective working relationships with health care professionals and others; and communicate effectively.
Special Personal Characteristics
Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental, and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well-being or that of their fellow employees or that of inmates or youthful offenders.
Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of inmates or youthful offenders and/or the protection of personal and real property.
