POSITION SUMMARY:

The child psychiatrist provides medical care and treatment to Brockton Neighborhood Health Center patients by professional standards and established Brockton Neighborhood Health Center policies and procedures. The psychiatrist works in collaboration with the Primary Care Physicians and the Behavioral Health Clinicians to provide a comprehensive and appropriate continuum of care.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Respond to patient referrals from BH Clinicians by assessing and evaluating all relevant information.
• Perform psychiatrist diagnostic assessments for all referred patients.
• Provide direct patient care services within area of expertise.
• Provides medication management.
• Assess, plan, document, and evaluate patient needs and treatment.
• Provides consultation for primary care providers regarding patient treatment.
• Provide intervention and referral for patients experiencing suicidal/homicidal ideation.
• Maintains a practice that is culturally and linguistically sensitive, using interpreters and other assistance as appropriate.
• Provide counseling, crisis intervention, and advocacy to all patients and their families, taking into account their unique cultural backgrounds. Psycho-education around such issues as high-risk behavior, mental health, addictions, and domestic violence is also a major component of the job duties.
• Refers patients, as appropriate, to specialists and other practitioners and facilities.
• Review patient charts and ensure that appropriate treatment plans are developed and followed
• Works collaboratively with other caregivers regarding patient education and rehabilitation including promotion of mental and physical health.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with other physicians, behavioral health clinicians, administration, and other clinical staff.
• Provides consultation to the on-call physician for mental health emergencies.
• Collaborates with efforts of the Patient Care Committee to monitor and improve the quality of patient care provided.
• Maintains productivity as outlined in the contracted agreement.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and responds appropriately to verbal and non-verbal communications of patients, family, and co-workers.
• Maintains patients right to privacy, and confidentiality and is HIPPA compliant.
• Assures dignity in the provision of care.
• Consistently utilizes good judgment in the resolution of problems, clinical and non-clinical.
• Possesses the ability to act independently and is willing to make decisions utilizing good judgment.
• Has the ability to visualize and anticipate new problems and to be part of the problem-solving process.
• Participate as an integral part of the interdisciplinary health care team for the provision of services to patients and families. As a member of the primary care team, this position is integrated into a variety of clinic activities such as high-risk case reviews, team meetings, protocol and procedure development, the provision of and receipt of staff in-service training, and program development.
• Provide technical assistance and training for other members of the primary care team regarding psychotropic medications and mental illness.
• Participate in community and agency outreach activities that identify, recruit, and/or educate our patient population.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Is pleasant, courteous, and considerate of patients and co-workers.
• Attends all required and pertinent meetings.
• Attends supervision as scheduled.
• Maintains clinical competence through ongoing medical education and training.

QUALITY ASSURANCE
Participates in setting and maintaining quality goals for psychiatry and mental health services within the health center.
Participates in devising, reviewing, and revising policies, procedures, and protocols.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Current Massachusetts licensure and maintains current certifications.
Board certified in Adult Psychiatry; additional board certification in children helpful.
Bilingual preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
A busy community health center located in a downtown business district. Occasional long hours may be required. Rotating call responsibilities. Potential exposure to patient blood and body fluids.