Psychiatrist 4 (WW15) - WSP

Psychiatrist 4

Full Time/ Perm

WA State Penitentiary - Walla Walla, WA

Annual Salary Range: $223,152 to $300,168

Department of Corrections (DOC) Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety. The mission of the Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) Health Services us to provide medical, dental, and mental health services consistent with the provisions of the Washington DOC Health Plan, Policies, procedures, and protocols.  

This position supports the mission of the DOC by providing quality, timely, medically appropriate psychiatric services (to include but not limited to assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prescription services) to incarcerated individuals. This position is expected to adhere to the standards for quality psychiatric care defined within the professional guidelines, the Washington DOC Health Plan, the DOC formula and other applicable statewide process, procedures, and protocols.

This position participates in the formal clinical oversight according to the Facility and DOC Health Services Clinical Oversight structure and the clinical oversight process will be included in the performance expectations of the PDP for the staff member in this position. This position works alongside other psychiatrists, ARNP’s Psychologists and Health Service Manager 2 for Mental Health to provide visionary leadership, program development and implementation at WSP.

This position administratively reports to the Health Service Manager 2 for Mental Health and clinically to the Chief of Psychiatry.

This position is a critical element of facility security due to the highly complex and sensitive correlation between mental illness, appropriate prescriptive therapy, and behavioral outcome.

Application assessment will be ongoing, and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

"This recruitment could be used to fill multiple vacant positions." 

Provides direct psychiatric patient care, ensure services provided as in accordance with the standards of care, DOC policies and procedures to include the WA DOC Health Plan and DOC Formulary. 

• Ensure psychiatric treatment provided is evidence based and clinically appropriate. Conducts psychiatric assessments, diagnosis, crisis intervention, acute treatment, long term medication management.
• Ensure timely documentation, preparation of clinical reports on patient progress, case consultation with psychology staff and clinical supervisors at headquarters.
• Obtains informed consent for treatment and appropriately utilizes surrogate decision-makers when patients are unable to give consent.
• Initiate and renew involuntary antipsychotic medication, including preparing documents and testifying at hearings, when necessary and as appropriate.
• Follow pharmacy formulary, guidelines, process for non-formulary requests, protocols, and procedures.

Actively participates in Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings (MDT’s), communicated with other clinicians to include mental health clinicians, medical practitioners, nurses, custody, and classification staff. May clinically oversee the psychiatric services provided by the Psychiatric ARNP’s. 

• Actively engages in Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings.
• Actively participates in statewide care review committees (i.e. MH transfer CRC, Psychiatric CRC, GD CRC) to ensure continuity of care.
• May clinically oversee the psychiatric services provided by the psychiatric ARNP’s at WSP.

Collaborates with the HSM2 for Mental Health in the development and implementation of psychiatric services at WSP. Other duties as assigned. 

• Participates in quality improvement projects.
• Participates in an after-hour call rotation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Initial and continuous unblemished/unrestricted license in the State of Washington, as a psychiatrist with prescriptive authority.
• Must have strong computer skills and be able, among other things, to enter schedule, monitor and track patient information, place medication orders and communicate via email.
• Must be Board Certified with a current, valid license to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Washington, and eligibility for certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
• Possess or meet eligible criteria for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and experience in directing medical operations.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to communicate orally and in writing with a variety of individuals ranging from correctional administrator and staff health care professionals to patient advocates and other persons.
• Must maintain CME credits sufficient to maintain license.
• Washington State issued temporary permit. Failure to obtain a license will result in immediate termination from the position by the appointing authority. Special requirement: must hold unrestricted license to practice and prescribe scheduled drugs.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
• Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.
• Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
• Our Core Values:
  1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
  2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
  3. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
  4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
  5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.  If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.   

• The mission of DOC is to improve public safety. For additional information about the agency, please visit doc.wa.gov.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.    Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or in close proximity to incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days of the date of hire.  When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment may also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• If this position is included in a Union Shop, employees will be required to become members within thirty (30) days of employment.
• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.
• Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds. 
• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

• Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

• Salary is based on experience and is determined at the time a final offer of employment is made. The salary range listed in the job posting includes Steps A-M. Step M is a longevity step and is typically gained six years after being assigned to Step L in your permanent salary range.  

• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year 
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!