Chief Psychiatrist, Correctional and Rehabilitative Services (Safety)
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: SF35
Class Code: 9774
Established: 07/01/2006
Revised: 12/02/2010
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under general direction, in a State correctional facility or headquarters in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, either (1) in a diagnostic or outpatient clinic to plan and direct the preventive and corrective psychiatric work with offenders; or (2) to plan and direct the psychiatric and mental health services programs in a correctional institution; or (3) in headquarters, has statewide responsibility for the Department's mental health program in such areas as program development, planning, standards, and evaluation; 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.
Typical Tasks
Investigates behavior problems or mental disorders; examines, diagnoses, classifies, prescribes treatment, and rehabilitation programs for offenders in a diagnostic or outpatient clinic and directs the staff engaged in this work; supervises and participates in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of psychotic inmates or youthful offenders in a correctional institution; secures and reviews data on heredity, congenital, and environmental factors pertaining to individual offenders; reviews medical examination findings for evidence of organic disturbances related to behavior disorders; applies findings of psychological examination; determines organic conditions related to behavior disorders and prescribes psychiatric treatment; gives or directs the giving of psychotherapy and other treatment for preventing and correcting behavior and physical disorders; directs and participates in staff conferences and clinics for the discussion of psychiatric problems of offenders and their care and treatment; recommends transfer, parole, or discharge of offenders, and recommends arrangements for follow-up and after-care during parole; secures and trains assistants; plans, directs, and evaluates their work and takes or recommends appropriate action with respect to their work performance; prepares reports and does research on problems of delinquency and adult criminality; 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.
In headquarters, is responsible for the development of policies and standards for the mental health program to assure compliance with existing laws and regulations; organizes, directs, and evaluates institutional and outpatient treatment programs; provides technical advice to advisory committees and mental health professionals engaged in the delivery of mental health services; consults with professional organizations, public officials, Department staff, and community groups on all phases of the Department's mental health program; establishes and maintains liaison and cooperative relationships with the mental health profession and allied groups; represents the department on issues regarding the Mentally Disordered Offender Act; supervises the transfer of inmates to the Department of Mental Health pursuant to appropriate Penal Code sections; conducts studies and prepares reports; and addresses professional and lay groups as well as legislative and other committees.
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. and
Two years of post-residency experience as a psychiatrist in a correctional facility, or in a psychiatric inpatient or outpatient setting.
Or Pattern II
Satisfactorily completed specialized training requirements in psychiatry in programs that are 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 training 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 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.) and
Two years of post-residency experience as a psychiatrist in a correctional facility, or in a psychiatric inpatient or outpatient setting.
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 or Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the AOA-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. and
Two years of post-residency experience as a psychiatrist in a correctional facility, or in a psychiatric inpatient or outpatient setting.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles and methods of psychiatry including diagnosis and treatment of behavior problems, mental and emotional disturbances, and developmentally disabled; modern methods and principles of general medicine and neurology and skill in their application; literature and recent developments in the field of psychiatry; principles and practices of clinical psychology and psychiatric social work; principles and techniques of social psychiatric research; modern techniques, practices, and trends in the correction and prevention of delinquency and criminality; principles of effective supervision and personnel management; and principles, methods, and objectives of training treatment personnel.
Ability to: Apply the principles and methods of psychiatry including diagnosis and treatment of behavior problems, mental and emotional disturbances, and mental deficiency; coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the work of professional employees, and instruct and advise them in their work; formulate and effect practical and comprehensive plans for the psychiatric care and treatment of adult and juvenile offenders; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work; prepare clear and concise reports; and communicate effectively.
Special Personal Characteristics
Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility and of the problems of the mentally ill, delinquency, and adult criminality; demonstrated leadership ability; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; emotional stability; alertness; keenness of observation; tact; and patience.
Special Physical 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.
