Senior Psychiatrist (Specialist), Correctional and Rehabilitative Services (Safety)
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: SF37
Class Code: 9759
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 provide advanced journey level psychiatric services to mentally ill patients; 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. This class is distinguished from classes at the higher levels by the responsibility for personally performing psychiatric evaluation and/or treatment as a regular assignment. The specialized training and teaching functions distinguish it from the lower-level class of Staff Psychiatrist.
Typical Tasks
In a correctional setting, provides evaluation and/or treatment to patients requiring more complex psychiatric care; reviews clinical records of patients to assure their adequacy and proper administration; makes regular clinical rounds and special teaching rounds; provides consultation to mental health professional staff on the use of Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved investigatory new drugs and other extra-formulary medication use pursuant to provisions of the Penal Code; provides consultation to mental health professional staff on new correctional mental health procedures that are required by the Legislature; plans training programs and participates in the training of staff and the instruction of residents, interns, and other health care providers; personally prepares and/or assists staff in the proper preparation of various required reports; develops new evaluation procedures in compliance with revised regulations; may preside at clinical conferences and advise staff on appropriate treatment techniques for specific cases; and depending on particular qualifications, may be assigned to special teaching or administrative assignments; 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. 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.
(Candidates who are within six months of meeting these requirements may take the examination, but they cannot be appointed until these requirements are met.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles and methods of psychiatry; current developments in the field of psychiatry, including developmental disabilities; principles of neurology; principles and application of psychiatric social work, clinical psychology, physical therapy, the various rehabilitative therapies, and other health care services; psychiatric research methods and techniques; and principles, methods, and objectives of training treatment personnel.
Ability to: Coordinate and participate in psychiatric research; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; maintain effective working relationships with health care professionals and others; 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; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; alertness; keenness of observation; tact; patience; emotional stability; and demonstrated leadership ability.
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.
