Psychiatrists :: Job Description

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Psychiatrists

Careers / Psychiatrists

Summary Description


	Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Addiction Psychiatrist

2.	Attending Psychiatrist

3.	Behavioral Analyst

4.	Behavioral Specialist

5.	Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

6.	Child Psychiatrist

7.	Clinical Psychiatrist

8.	Consulting Psychiatrist

9.	Doctor

10.	Forensic Psychiatrist

11.	Geriatric Psychiatrist

12.	Medical Doctor (MD)

13.	Neuropsychiatrist

14.	Pediatric Psychiatrist

15.	Physicians and Surgeons

16.	Prison Psychiatrist

17.	Psychiatrist

18.	Psychoanalyst

19.	Staff Psychiatrist

20.	Treatment Coordinator

Job Tasks

	Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.

	Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.

	Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.

	Design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.

	Gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.

	Counsel outpatients or other patients during office visits.

	Examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests on patients to provide information on general physical condition or mental disorder.

	Advise or inform guardians, relatives, or significant others of patients' conditions or treatment.

	Teach, take continuing education classes, attend conferences or seminars, or conduct research and publish findings to increase understanding of mental, emotional, or behavioral states or disorders.

	Review and evaluate treatment procedures and outcomes of other psychiatrists or medical professionals.

	Prepare and submit case reports or summaries to government or mental health agencies.

	Serve on committees to promote or maintain community mental health services or delivery systems.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.


		administer medications or treatments

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		collect clinical data

		obtain information from clients, customers, or patients

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.


		make decisions

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use clinical problem solving techniques

		follow confidentiality procedures

		use counseling techniques

		apply drug information to patient treatment

		use emergency medical treatment procedures

		use grief counseling techniques

		follow institutional care procedures

		use interpersonal communication techniques

		use medical diagnostic techniques

		follow dental or medical office procedures

		follow patient care procedures

		use psychological treatment techniques

		use research methodology procedures in health care

		use knowledge of medical terminology

		use knowledge of investigation techniques

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.


		record medical history or data

		document medical prognosis

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.


		conduct patient assessments

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		identify body response variations

		understand properties or composition of drugs

		recognize physical or emotional abuse

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.


		explain uses or effects of drugs

		interpret medical laboratory test results

		interpret psychological test results

		write technical health or medical documents

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.


		prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices or other forms of treatment

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		analyze medical data

		analyze patient activity

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.


		observe patient condition

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		calculate medical dosages

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.


		communicate technical information

		make presentations on health or medical issues

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		order medical laboratory tests

		prepare patient reports

		prepare required government reports

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Physicians and Surgeons
	Physicians and surgeons diagnose illnesses and prescribe and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease. Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Physicians and Surgeons
	Many physicians—primarily general and family practitioners, general internists, pediatricians, OB/GYNs, and psychiatrists—work in small private offices or clinics, often assisted by a small staff of nurses and other administrative personnel. Increasingly, physicians are practicing in groups or healthcare organizations that provide backup coverage and allow for more time off. Physicians in a group practice or healthcare organization often work as part of a team that coordinates care for a number of patients; they are less independent than the solo practitioners of the past. Surgeons and anesthesiologists usually work in well-lighted, sterile environments while performing surgery and often stand for long periods. Most work in hospitals or in surgical outpatient centers.

	Read More >>

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