Psychiatrist

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 520,000 - 541,000; Full time

Job summary

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS seeks a Psychiatrist to deliver high-quality psychiatric care to inmates at the RJ Donovan facility in San Diego, CA. The role includes comprehensive evaluations, crisis management, and medication management within an interdisciplinary team.

You will conduct face-to-face interviews in housing units, document care in the EHR, and participate in IDTT meetings, ensuring adherence to California standards and correctional policies.

Qualifications

• MD or DO with valid California medical license.
• Board certification in psychiatry or eligibility.
• Experience with psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
• Familiarity with EHR and telepsychiatry.
• Strong English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient psychiatric care to adult inmate population.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team (nurses, therapists, case managers).
• Conduct initial mental health evaluations and suicide risk assessments.
• Perform face-to-face interviews in inmate housing units and at cell fronts.
• Document care and participate in IDTT meetings.
• Prescribe medications within correctional formulary and monitor progress.
• Ensure compliance with CA regulations and confidentiality mandates.
• Engage in crisis interventions and rounds as needed.

Skills

Diagnostic expertise

Psychopharmacology

Crisis intervention & psychotherapy

Record keeping

Technical literacy

English communication

Education

MD or DO degree

California medical license

Tools

EHR platforms

Job description

CDCR is committed to providing quality healthcare services within the correctional system, ensuring the well-being of all patients through dedicated and professional care.

About the Role

The Psychiatrist will be responsible for delivering high-quality Psychiatry services to inmates at the RJ Donovan facility in San Diego, CA, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.

Responsibilities

• Psychiatrists provide care to an adult population in the outpatient unit in the prison.
• Psychiatrists are supported by a complete team including e.g. an Intake Department, Nurses, Therapists, LCSWs, Case Managers, etc.
• Under the clinical direction of the Chief Psychiatrist/Senior Psychiatrist or designee, and the administrative direction of the Chief of Mental Health, Psychiatrists provide extensive psychiatric services or work in a review, evaluation, or consultative capacity.
• Psychiatrists may work in any of the State correctional institutions/facilities and provide direct patient psychiatric services to mentally ill inmates/wards.
• Psychiatrists may also be used in headquarters or field offices in a review and/or consultative capacity.
• Meet with mentally ill patient-inmates/youths for crisis interventions, face-to-face interviews, etc. Must be able to provide clinical face-to-face interviews at cell fronts in inmate housing units. In some institutions, multi-tiered housing units may require the ability to climb stairs and walk long distances.
• Conduct initial mental health evaluations including criminal, psychiatric, and substance abuse case history to assess inmate’s/ward’s current needs and make treatment recommendations in the initial evaluation.
• Conduct clinically sound suicide risk evaluations including clinical reviews, applying suicide risk assessment protocols, pertinent data/chart reviews, proper documentation and consultations as needed.
• Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDTT) meetings.
• Document all care provided to the patient-inmate/ward, including face-to-face contacts and IDTT meetings.
• Monitor inmate/ward progress using Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan and Education (SOAPE) formatted progress notes.
• Effectively applies community standard of practice for psychiatric treatment modalities and ethical standards.
• Perform mental status exam (MSE) in face-to-face clinical interviews.
• Identify the relevant signs and symptoms of medical/psychological disorders in order to comprehensively diagnose, assess and manage the presenting symptomatology.
• Examine prior mental health records, institutional chromos, probation reports, court records and other available documents to assist in the formulation of patient’s diagnosis and aid in the development of the inmate’s/ward’s treatment plans.
• Review, examine and diagnose psychiatric patients of all ages and patient records and files in mental health program to determine progress, effectiveness and/or appropriateness of treatment services.
• Consult, as necessary, with supervising psychiatrist on unusual, complex, or serious cases, or present such cases to a clinical conference for advice or decision.
• Provide clinical consultation to psychiatric staff on unusual, complex or serious problems and cases where technical expertise is needed.
• Prescribe medication as deemed appropriate for treatment and utilize the CDCR Correctional Formulary or obtain non-formulary approval.
• Interpret laboratory results and make clinically appropriate referrals to medical services, as appropriate.
• Determine type of psychiatric and general medical treatment needed.
• Prescribe changes in treatment when indicated.
• When conditions are suspected, adhere to mandated reporting requirements regarding California Psychiatrists, including, but not limited to, reported child and elder abuse, danger to self or others, duty to warn (Tarasoff) reporting and other confidentiality mandates.
• Develop a therapeutic relationship with the patient-inmate’s/ward’s families and caretakers to enhance effective treatment delivery.
• Work in consult with primary care medicine in identifying and managing co-occurring, co-morbid and treatment related medical conditions.
• Make clinical rounds and review progress of patients, including assessments in inmate/ward housing units.
• Serve periodically as psychiatrist-of-the-day for on-call/call back during weekend and off-hours for patient emergencies, Mental Health Crisis Beds follow up, and 5-day follow ups.
• Administer psychiatric treatment with assistance, as necessary, from other health care providers.
• Maintain order and supervise conduct of persons committed to the correctional facility in order to prevent escapes or injury by these persons to themselves or others.

Qualifications

• Licensure & Education: Possession of an MD or DO degree and a valid, active medical license in California.
• Board Certification: Certification (or eligibility) in psychiatry issued by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, following an accredited four-year residency program.

Required Skills

• Diagnostic Expertise: Ability to identify signs and symptoms of psychological and medical disorders, interpret diagnostic tests, and comprehensively assess presenting conditions.
• Psychopharmacology: Skill in prescribing medications and developing advanced psychopharmacological treatment plans under a correctional formulary.
• Crisis Intervention & Psychotherapy: Proficiency in conducting individual psychotherapy, crisis management, and group therapy sessions.
• Record Keeping: Skill in preparing detailed case histories and maintaining accurate healthcare records.
• Technical Literacy: Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) and telepsychiatry platforms.
• Effective communication skills in English, both oral and written.

Pay range and compensation package

$255/Hour. Malpractice Insurance Included

Equal Opportunity Statement

RPS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.