Lead Psychiatrist – DeKalb Regional Crisis Center

DeKalb Regional Crisis Center-Lead Psychiatrist

Claratel Behavioral Health (formerly known as DeKalb Community Service Board) is an innovative, community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities services organization located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, offering a full range of mental health services, developmental disabilities programs and substance abuse treatment to more than 11,000 citizens annually who are uninsured and underinsured.

As a public, not-for-profit organization, Claratel BH operates more than 20 locations in DeKalb County with a diverse workforce of more than 400 direct-care and support staff. Our staff of physicians, nurses, clinicians and support personnel is dedicated to helping our clients and their families recover from these debilitating disabilities and resume productive lives. We strive to provide the highest quality, evidence-based services in the least restrictive settings, and we envision a community in which disabilities no longer limit possibilities. Claratel BH is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

JOB SUMMARY

Claratel BH is recruiting for a Lead Psychiatrist for our DeKalb Regional Crisis Center, serving adult individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis or who are in need of withdrawal management. The incumbent plays a key role in providing supervision to a team of advanced practice nurses as part of an interdisciplinary team across three levels of care in a Behavioral Health Crisis Center. The levels include a Crisis Service Center that provides triage and evaluation, a Temporary Observation Unit, and a Crisis Stabilization Unit. The Lead Psychiatrist assures current evidence-based practices are provided by the medical team to ensure optimal patient care. The Lead Psychiatrist also provides direct care by evaluating and diagnosing; prescribing medication as needed, performing psychiatric assessments, and providing ongoing care to ensure appropriate resolution of the crisis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

– As Lead Psychiatrist, provides psychiatric and medical supervision for the Crisis Center.
– Provides direct psychiatric care for clients ages 18 and above; this includes psychiatric evaluations, crisis management, psychiatric treatment including therapy, medication management, withdrawal management, and medical care on the unit.
– Works collaboratively with the Director of DeKalb Regional Crisis Center to assure optimum medical and psychiatric care is provided.
– Develops and updates behavioral health medical policies that conform to regulation, laws, overall agency policy and procedures.
– Uses data effectively to drive performance improvement. Supports data driven strategies/initiatives.
– Performs clinical quality care reviews of the medical staff.
– Provides clinical expertise and direction for medical/psychiatric treatment.
– Provides clinical supervision for program APRN medical staff.
– Sets and maintains APRN schedules to assure appropriate coverage.
– Acts as delegated physician of record for specific Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.
– Develops and enhances professional behavioral health / medical community relationships with area hospitals.

Minimum Education, Credentials, and Experience:

– A graduate from an accredited medical school
– Board eligible or board certified (preferred) in psychiatry, serving a residency in general psychiatry with license to practice medicine in Georgia or license eligibility in Georgia.
– Proficiency in using an Electronic Health Record
– Ability to promote a person-centered, recovery oriented, and trauma informed philosophy in client care.

Working Conditions:

– Works indoors in a residential crisis setting
– May be required to physically assist clients, may need to carry objects up to 10 pounds
– On-call after-hours availability.

Needed Attributes:

– High ethical standards demonstrated in all aspects of medical practice
– Able to lead a medical team that promotes learning, excellence and optimal outcomes for clients
– Critical thinking, exemplary interpersonal skills, and a consistent, contributing demeanor is required.