Chief Psychiatrist

Company: Travis County
Location: Austin
Posted on: January 27, 2023

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Chief Psychiatrist is responsible for providing clinical oversight of the Psychiatric Services within the Travis County Jail and instilling a culture of patient care that is considered a model in correctional healthcare. The Travis County Sheriff's Office provides treatment and care to individuals incarcerated in Travis County which includes providing for their behavior health needs. The Chief Psychiatrist works with a multidisciplinary team that includes 24-hour nursing, medical providers, social work and professional counselors, correctional staff, inmate programming staff, psychologists, and Chaplains.

Travis County offers a premier Total Rewards package that includes a highly rated retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, 3 personal holidays, 12 company holidays, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, medical, dental, and vision, and a free employee health care clinic.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a job classification within the Medical job family. The incumbent must be licensed to practice as a medical doctor in the State of Texas. It is distinguished from the Psychiatrist in that it is a supervisory position for the Psychiatrist, contract partners, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and in the required education and preferred certifications.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leads a team of psychiatry providers to assure that the TCSO mission is accomplished with optimal productivity and patient care.
In a timely manner, completes initial and follow-up psychiatric assessments, medication management, and treatment planning for assigned caseload. Completes applications for court ordered treatment and provides courtroom testimony as required. Completes thorough documentation of each patient's visit in the electronic health record in accordance with established health information management standards.
Participates in, and recommends the hiring, retaining, coaching, disciplining and termination of providers. Supervises prescriptive authority of psychiatric mid-level providers. Ensures appropriate clinical coverage, assignments, and schedules. Completes provider performance appraisals, advocates concerns, and assures providers are providing excellent clinical outcomes.
Works with the Director of Inmate Mental Health to plan, implement, and evaluate clinical services ensuring efficient, effective, and continuous improvement in operations. Generates treatment protocols to govern the delivery of clinical care that are consistent with community standards of care.
Completes outpatient and inpatient hospitalization and compelled medication applications. Attends court hearings as required.
Supports the organization by providing at least two continuing education seminars to behavioral health, medical staff and/or corrections staff on an annual basis.
Attends and participates in departmental meetings and clinic functions which may include Treatment Team meetings, Pharmacy and Therapeutic's committee, Medical Provider meetings and Trauma Informed Care committee.
Represents TCSO in the community regarding mental health needs of inmates with a progressive, positive, and professional manner. Engages partners to maintain, improve and expand services both in the jail and upon reentry.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited school of medicine with a degree as a medical doctor including residency in the field of psychiatry AND more than five (5) years practicing medicine as a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with increasing responsibility in clinical and administrative supervision of mid-level providers and overseeing clinical operations with a diverse population in a correctional facility, psychiatric outpatient clinic, or diagnostic clinic.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed to practice medicine in the State of Texas.
Current DPS and DEA license in the State of Texas.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Applicants are required to attach a resume with the online application.

Preferred:
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry
Board Certified in Addiction Medicine
Bilingual in Spanish

Knowledge of:

Psychiatric practices for inpatient and outpatient settings.
Correctional Healthcare principles and practices.
Legal and ethical standards of care, including use of emergency medications and court ordered medications.
Electronic Health Records (EHR) and standard office software packages.
Trauma Informed Systems of Care.
Planning and budgetary processes within a governmental framework

Skill in:

Leading and supervising a diverse team.
Patiently caring and treating patients with mental illness.
Mentoring and teaching clinical and nonclinical students.
Attentive and authentic communication including use of de-escalation techniques.
Fostering a culture of positivity and encouraging growth.
Utilizing data to inform decisions and using results for quality improvement.
Using technology to enhance workflow processes.
Motivating and empowering patients and staff to work towards their best self.

Ability to:

Develop, present, and implement a long-term vision.
Apply general rules to specific problems, identify innovative solutions and opportunities for improvement.
Develop and cultivate respectful professional relationships.
Network with community partners to problem solve and enhance community behavioral health services.
Present complex and technical problems to lay decision makers and influencers.
Advocate for policy and legislative change.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry minimum of 35 pounds and may be required to lift/carry up to 50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter, and foul odors.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Rotating on-call, Occasional holidays, nights, and weekends.

Location: Austin, TX

Department: Sheriff

Criminal Background Check, Credit Check, Driving Record, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Education, and Employment History Check Required.
BenefitsEmployment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.FY2022 Travis County Benefit GuideIn this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.Credit UnionEmployees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.Deferred CompensationEmployees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.Direct DepositEmployees may sign up for direct bank deposit.Employee Assistance ProgramTravis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.Employee OrganizationsMembership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.Employee Health & Wellness ClinicEmployees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.HolidaysAn average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.LongevityLongevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.ParkingA limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.Personal HolidaysRegular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:January - March3 personal holidays April - June2 personal holidays July - September1 personal holiday October - DecemberNoneNew employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.RetirementTravis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period . click apply for full job details

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