About Job
- In Psychiatric Emergency Services, the emergency psychiatrist collaborates with nursing staff and the medical emergency department to evaluate and treat patients presenting with emergency and urgent psychiatric and/or behavioral problems, often complicated by medical problems and substance abuse.
- On the acute psychiatric inpatient unit, the typical assignment is direct care of 6-9 patients per day, as well as supervision of a resident team covering up to 6 patients.
- On the medical-surgical and long-term care units, the C/L psychiatrist is on duty 4-6 hours per day. Duties include performing inpatient consultations and collaborating with attending physicians and other staff, admitting patients to the acute psychiatric unit, evaluating capacity, applying and lifting legal holds, testifying at legal hearings, and making conservatorship referrals.
- At the long-term subacute psychiatric hospital, the psychiatrist provides ongoing care for approximately 30 non-acute patients, managing their medications, providing and overseeing psychotherapy and behavioral management programs, and collaborating with the internal medicine team to care for non-psychiatric medical issues.
- Train and supervise interns and residents.
- Provide clinical supervision to licensed and professional staff in other disciplines.
- Conduct psychiatric assessments and consultations and make diagnoses.
- Prescribe appropriate treatment plans.
- Coordinate the work of consulting medical specialists.
- Act as physician member of a multi-disciplinary team for clinical work or program development.
- Train and supervise interns and residents.
- Provide clinical supervision to licensed and professional staff in other disciplines.
- Consult and work with other medical and/or mental health professionals at SMMC and in the community.
- Confer with patients' relatives regarding illness and treatment.
- Maintain records of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis according to Joint Commission of Accredited Hospitals Organization standards and other regulatory agencies.
- Develop comprehensive case histories.
- Participate in departmental quality-improvement activities and on hospital and interagency committees and teams.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
- Board Certification or completion of an accredited psychiatric residency program.
- License to practice medicine or osteopathy in the State of California.
- Possession of a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Current developments, trends and research in the field of medicine and psychiatry.
- Basic understanding of clinical supervisory principles and practices.
- Pharmacology and psychopharmacology, including laws regarding informed consent, dosage ranges, drug incompatibilities, and side effects.
- Proper documentation of clinical services.
- General Medicine and its relationship to psychiatry.
- Current techniques and dynamics of individual, couple, family, and group psychotherapy.
- Chemical dependency and abuse and its relationship to psychiatry.
- Psychiatric principles and practices.
- Community mental health practice and program options.
- Treatment approaches and differential diagnosis of the mentally ill.
- HIPPA regulations.
- Medical ethics as they relate to patient care.
- Diagnose and treat patients.
- Develop and monitor appropriate treatment plans.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, their families, staff and others.
- Learn and apply laws, statutes, codes and regulations governing California health service providers, HIPAA, JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
- Maintain medical records and prepare reports.
- Serve on interdisciplinary teams.
- Clinically supervise licensed and professional staff.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 by 11:59 PM
APPLICATION SCREENING: Friday, October 24, 2025
COMBINED PANEL/DEPARTMENTAL INTERVIEWS: Thursday, November 6, 2025About the CountySan Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.HR Contact: Carolyn Burns (100725) (Adult Psychiatrist - F140)We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
Professional Field



Patient Focus
Diagnoses
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Issues
Aging
Medication Management
Minority Health
Racism, Diversity, and Tolerance
Age Groups
Preteens/Tweens (11-13)
Therapeutic Approach
Methodologies
ECT
Pharmacotherapy
Modalities
Couples
Families
Groups
Individuals
Practice Specifics
Populations
Racial Justice Allied
Settings
In-patient Non-Psychiatric
In-patient Psychiatric
Milieu
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Research Facilities/Labs/Clinical Trials
Residential Treatment Facilities (RTC)
Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
Home Health/In-home
Forensic
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