Psychiatrist - Adult

PSYCHIATRIST - ADULT

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive a salary range increase on the following date:  
 
 Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase

 Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

Premium Pay

In addition to the hourly salary, eligible applicants may receive premium pay for the items listed below:

• Bilingual pay: Qualified employees who meet the criteria found (page 16) shall receive an additional $0.70 per hour for all hours paid.
• Board Certification pay: Employees assigned on a regular, full-time basis in this classification, who are Board Certified, shall receive, in addition to his or her salary, the equivalent of $800 monthly

Other Additional Premium Pays

Additional Compensation:

• Five (5) days Conference Leave for Continuing Medical Education paid leave per year
• Educational and Professional Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per year
• No On-Call Responsibilities
• Flexible work schedules; A 4/10 schedule may be available
• Psychiatrist Loan Repayment Program (Psychiatrists employed at least half time in regular positions in all divisions of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) are eligible to receive up to $22,500 through the program, however, this does not include positions in Correctional Health. This program will continue as long as there are MHSA funds available. The County and/or HCA are under no obligation to continue funding this program should MHSA funding cease for this program.)

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (P.S.T.) on the day the County's needs are met.

This recruitment is open to the public and the eligible list established through this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Psychiatrist positions within the County of Orange. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

THE AGENCY
The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division consists of the following service areas Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health, Children and Youth Services, Quality Management Services, Mental Health Services Act Office, Data Analytics and Evaluation, Crisis and Acute Care Services, Substance Use Services, BHS Navigation, and Forensics and Justice Involved. These service areas provide a culturally competent and client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible county residents in need of treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health Services (AOABH) provides recovery-oriented behavioral health services and episodic treatment services through a range of outpatient and residential treatment programs which emphasize individual needs, strengths, choices, and involvement in service planning and implementation. Adults who have a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder and impairment in their ability to function in the community or who have a history of recurring substantial functional impairment, hospitalization or symptoms can access services. 

In addition, the ideal candidate must demonstrate substantial knowledge and practical experience directly related to the following competencies below:
  
Professional & Technical Expertise

• Performs biopsychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) 
• Recognizes the signs and symptoms of an acute mental crisis or psychiatric emergency, provides care to stabilize patients via medication adjustment or referral to a higher level of care such as an inpatient facility 
• Responds and manages patients experiencing mood lability, severe depression, anxiety, anger, co-occurring substance use, and other symptoms of mental illness
• Thorough knowledge of the protective and risk factors for suicidal and homicidal ideation, and how to reduce the risk of a serious attempt
• Implements evidence-based recommendations for psychiatric treatment, including knowledge of how to utilize long-acting antipsychotics and clozapine for psychotic disorders
• Understands how to screen and modify treatment for adverse side effects or drug interactions related to psychiatric medications
• Assesses and treats patients with co-occurring substance use disorders, including recognition of substance use intoxication and withdrawal
• Interpret urine drug screens, understands false positives, provides counseling, and utilizes medications including naloxone to reduce the risk of substance use
• Proficient use of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) to monitor the individual's status, document psychiatric services, enter orders for medications and laboratory studies, determine and document medical necessity

Interpersonal Savvy | Building & Maintaining Relationships | Handling & Resolving Conflict

• Practices active empathetic listening skills and use of open-ended questions with patients, communicate in a non-judgmental way to make patients feel comfortable opening up about their history and current symptoms
• Demonstrates non-verbal communication skills including appropriate eye contact, body language, and facial expressions when interacting with others
• Involves the patient in the treatment decision-making process and provide informed consent when discussing medications 
• Assists other psychiatrists who are out of office by allowing consultations on their clients and medication refills if appropriate 
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings and engage in effective communication with nurses, social workers, therapists, case managers, and other members of the treatment team
• Maintains a respectful and professional demeanor including when disagreements or conflicts arise between staff or patients 
• Works collaboratively with other physicians providing medical care, personnel within the program, patient’s families, conservators, court personnel, community hospital staff, and other County agencies

Oral Communication | Writing 

• Prepares clear and concise documentation of the patient’s biopsychosocial assessment, diagnoses, and treatment plan 
• Documents rationale for modifying diagnoses and medications in the patient’s chart, including diagnostic criteria that support a diagnosis and discussion on the benefits and risks to treatment 
• Discusses and records the functional impairment caused by a patient’s severe and persistent mental illness (e.g. unemployment, financial hardship, homelessness)
• Communicates about challenging interactions with patients or others in a respectful, unbiased, and accurate manner 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Please click here for the minimum qualifications for Psychiatrist as well as the physical, mental, and environmental conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all applications to identify the qualified candidates for the position based on the skills required to meet the needs of the County. After the initial screening, the qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Veterans Employment Preference The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Application Screening| (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. 

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.  

Eligible List: 
Once the applications have been screened, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
  
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
  
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
  
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
  
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Gabriela Torres (714) 834-8991 or gabtorres@ochca.com