Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Chief Behavioral Health Officer, the psychiatrist is responsible for supporting behavioral health care provided Behavioral health clinic in primary care settings by a team comprised of primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and behavioral health providers. This psychiatrist is responsible for performing psychiatric assessments, medication management and diagnostic evaluations of patients. Brief, evidenced-based pharmacologic services are provided to children, adolescents, adults and/or older adults in the primary care setting. This staff psychiatrist also works in a consultant role with behavioral health clinicians and PCPs to develop and implement sound treatment plans for patients with physical health, mental health and/or substance use issues. Responds to and provides crisis intervention services when needed; ensures behavioral health services are delivered in a culturally appropriate fashion, and is consistent with State of California laws and regulations, professional standards of care, agency guidelines, and professional ethical guidelines.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Provides direct psychiatric evaluation and evidenced-based pharmacologic treatment of patients, focusing on patients with diagnostic or therapeutic challenges who are identified in discussion with the patient’s BH clinician and/or PCP.

• Provides consultation to clinical staff and primary care providers (PCPs) as needed regarding the client’s care, treatment recommendations and progress via documentation in the client’s record, face to face or telephonic consultation.

• Actively participates in Quality Assurance activities of the Division with regard to treatment Utilization Review, medication monitoring, peer review, procedures and processes.

• Completes all required documentation in a timely fashion including: the preparation of reports and written documentation, notes and medical records, all other forms and documents as required by the department, company, state and federal agencies. To attend training and work efficiently in both the County EHR Cerner and FQHC EHR Nextgen.

• Participates in the development and delivery of in‐service training for primary care‐based providers including medical residents and staff regarding current understanding of best practices for the recognition and treatment of behavioral health conditions in primary care as requested.

• Performs crisis interventions as needed including but not limited to conducting suicide assessments and make recommendations to medical providers and patients; determine if crisis response services are appropriate for patient safety.

• Works in coordination with the Director of Psychiatry/Director of Psychology to ensure full integration of services and a team based approach to care.

• Works in coordination with Manager of the CMSS County Contract program.

• Participates in meetings as required and participate on committees as directed.

• Maintains productivity expectations in accordance with clinic/program guidelines.

• Performs any other job-related duties as needed, assigned and/or as requested.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adheres to all applicable SYHealth policies, procedures, protocols and best practices.

• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills in collaboration with teams to achieve quality, excellence, harmony and problem-solving to obtain stated goals and objectives.

• Complies with established departmental and health center wide policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.

• Ability to organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.

• Ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate in working with underserved communities.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, family members, other professional staff and the public.

• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops.

• Assist in providing supervision of interns and/or unlicensed staff under specification of license held as requested.

• Coordinate with other consulting psychiatrists and/or PCPs for vacation coverage as needed to ensure continuity of patient care.

• Willingness to work some early evening and Saturday hours as requested.

• Attends meetings, as required, and participates on committees, as directed.

• Demonstrates professional behavior standard etiquette, courtesy, mutual respect, confidentiality and treats every patient and employee with dignity in every interaction.

• Promotes and fosters respect for patient privacy by maintaining confidentiality on all patient EHR data and abides by both the HIPAA Privacy and Security rules.

Job Requirements

Experience Required:

• Combination of education and years of experience as specified above.
• Sensitivity to multi-cultural concerns and the psychotherapeutic process required.
• Experience with primary care psychiatry or consultation‐liaison psychiatry desired.

Education Required:

• Successful completion of M.D. degree in Medicine and graduation from an accredited Psychiatric Residency Program.

Certifications Required:

• Current license to practice in the State of California.
• Board certified or board‐eligible in child and/or adult psychiatry.
• DEA license.

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job: 

• Knowledge of rehabilitation and recovery treatment modalities. Integrated Treatment and Care for individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Demonstrate ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate in working with minority communities.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity.
• Knowledge of behavioral medicine, health psychology, substance abuse interventions including IMPACT and/or SBIRT model strongly recommended.
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with a variety of co-occurring disorders.
• Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, family members, other professional staff and the public.

Equipment Used:

• Computers.
• Software systems.
• Scanner.
• Telephones.
• Copy and Fax machines.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• General office environment.
• Frequent sitting, occasional standing, walking, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 10 lbs.
• May drive around San Diego County for various meetings and trainings.

Universal Requirements:

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs. Compliance with all mandated vaccinations and all boosters is a term and condition of employment.

About Us San Ysidro Health is a Federally Qualified Health Care organization committed to providing high quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable healthcare services for the entire family. The organization was founded by seven women in search of medical services for their families and community. Almost 50 years later, San Ysidro Health now provides innovative care to over 108,000 patients through a vast and integrated network of 47 program sites across the county. San Ysidro Health could not serve our patients without the dedication of our passionate and hardworking employees. Apply today and become a part of our mission-driven team! San Ysidro Health has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all applicants for employment.  Employment decisions including, but not limited to, those such as employee selection, performance evaluation, administration of benefits, working conditions, employee programs, transfers, position changes, training, disciplinary action, compensation, and separations are made without regard to race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, national origin, nationality, citizenship status, domestic partnership status, ancestry, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, civil union status, family status, age, mental or physical disability (including AIDS or HIV-related status), atypical heredity cellular or blood trait of an individual, genetic information or refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.