Principal Psychiatrist (DMHAS)

Our mission at the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

The DMHAS, River Valley Services is recruiting for a Principal Psychiatrist located in our Community Services Program, and Young Adults Services in Middletown, Connecticut.   The schedule for this position is 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday position #00121725. On-call is also available on a rotating basis. The position serves in an outpatient Community Mental Health Center and the Young Adult Services program

River Valley Services (RVS), a community mental health center serving Middlesex County and the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, is operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).  RVS’s goal is to provide the highest quality crisis intervention, case management, and residential and clinical services to adult citizens, 18 years of age and older, who suffer from serious mental disorders and who lack the financial means to secure such services in the private sector. 

Services are directed at improving clients’ quality of life and fostering dignity, ability, and recovery.  We are dedicated to promoting a complete and responsive service system for our clients and others in need.  All persons receiving services from River Valley Services have the right to culturally appropriate mental health and addiction services consistent with their communication needs and personal preferences.  Translation and interpreter services are available at RVS. 

As the Local Mental Health Authority for DMHAS Catchment Area 10, River Valley Services is responsible for administering DMHAS-funded services in Middlesex County, Lyme and Old Lyme.  Contracted services are provided by Gilead Community Services; Middlesex Hospital Center for Behavioral Health; The Community Health Center; Kuhn Employment Opportunities; and St. Vincent DePaul Place of Middletown. 

River Valley Services serves the towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Ivoryton, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

Are you a self-starter? Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our Joint Commission accredited facility as an integral part of our Outpatient Services Division. Our facility provides comprehensive outpatient services to clients with a range of psychiatric issues.

Actively participating on our interdisciplinary team you will play a key role in:

• Actively providing clinical leadership including participating in clinical case conferences and reciprocally working with other staff including psychiatry, nursing, clinicians, rehabilitation and case manager staff;
• Working together to deliver comprehensive person-centered care in an outpatient setting;
• Functioning cohesively to provide clinical care through evidenced-based practices ensuring continuity of client care and appropriate psychosocial treatments;
• Providing education as needed and ensure compliance with all regulatory body standards.

You will have the opportunity to earn CME credit through onsite grand rounds. Additional training is available.

*In addition to the base annual salary, you may be approved for a recruitment incentive of up to $30,000.

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume in the 'Resume Tab' of your application. If you are invited to interview you will be asked to supply the following: for State Employees, their last two (2) Performance Evaluations OR, for outside hires, two (2) Letters of Reference and a copy of their current license to practice medicine

Should you have questions regarding this recruitment please contact Miriam.Lopez@ct.gov or (860) 262-5358.

In a state agency this class is accountable for providing clinical administrative/supervisory functions and/or direct care psychiatric services as a board certified advanced clinician.

Provides 24 hour supervision to specified groups of patients and facility coverage as scheduled including on-call coverage and weekend coverage; makes rounds and provides direct care and clinical oversight of multi-disciplinary treatment teams; coordinates work of medical staff with related programs; reviews treatment plans, clinical records, diagnoses, and patient discharge plans for adherence to policies and/or The Joint Commission (TJC) and Health Care Financing Authority (HCFA) standards; provides education and training as indicated, e.g. grand rounds and case conferences; assigns, oversees and evaluates work of staff and on-site night duty physicians and/or psychiatrists; conducts and/or participates in meetings on clinical and administrative policy, research programs, clinical program development and treatment techniques; assesses, examines and evaluates patients for admission or discharge; assesses, examines, diagnoses and prescribes appropriate medications and other biologic and psychosocial treatments for patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders; performs advanced level risk assessments; consults on difficult and/or complex cases; develops and implements QA and/or QI process improvement initiatives; prepares and/or reviews reports, medical records and correspondence; performs utilization review and management functions; attends court hearings as a state witness; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of methods and principles of behavioral health medicine; considerable knowledge of current principles and methods of assessment and treatment of patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders; considerable knowledge of recent developments in field of psychiatry and substance abuse including treatment models and best practices; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to examine for, diagnose, assess and treat patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders; considerable ability to prescribe and conduct psychotherapy, medications and other treatments specific to psychiatric and substance abuse disorders; ability to develop a collaborative group practice environment with other psychiatrists, physicians and members of interdisciplinary teams; ability to analyze and interpret laboratory reports, x-rays and other medical and/or psychological reports and findings; administrative/supervisory ability.

Incumbents in this class must possess and retain certification as a specialist in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or board certification in Adult or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice medicine and surgery in Connecticut. A temporary license may be granted for a period not to exceed one (1) year.
2. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. 1320a-7b(f).
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain certification as a specialist in an area such as geriatrics, ABI/TBI, forensics, substance abuse, etc.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess appropriate current licenses, certifications or permits.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.