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Psychiatrist job description

Use this Psychiatrist job description template to attract and hire qualified professionals for your hospital, clinic or mental care facility. Make sure you adjust the educational requirements for the Psychiatrist role based on regulations in your area.

Christina Pavlou
Christina Pavlou

An experienced recruiter and HR professional who has transferred her expertise to insightful content to support others in HR.

Refreshed on

February 3, 2020

Reviewed by

Eftychia Karavelaki

Senior Recruitment Manager

Psychiatrist responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing and maintaining medical histories
  • Analyzing patients’ emotional, behavioral and mental state
  • Developing recovery plans

Job brief

We are looking for a Psychiatrist to diagnose and treat mental illnesses.

What does a psychiatrist do?

The top responsibilities of a Psychiatrist include discussing with patients and observing their behaviors to identify mental disorders, determining treatments and prescribing medications. To be considered for this role, you need to be licensed as a Psychiatrist and certified from the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS).

Ultimately, you will help patients recover and improve their lives.

Responsibilities

  • Review patients’ medical history and collect additional information from family members and psychologists as needed
  • Evaluate patients’ emotional, behavioral and mental state through discussion, observation and analysis
  • Identify mental disorders and determine best treatments
  • Develop therapy plans
  • Prescribe medications
  • Analyze medical tests and track patients’ progress
  • Coordinate with healthcare professionals when hospitalization is required
  • Advise patients on how to cope with mental diseases and emotional breakdowns
  • Support patients’ loved ones and inform them about the patient’s condition
  • Research medical issues and new medical treatments to update your knowledge on mental healthcare

Requirements and skills

  • Work experience as a Psychiatrist
  • In-depth knowledge of various psychotherapeutic methods
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain medical terms and conditions to a non-medical audience
  • Strong observation skills to accurately evaluate patients’ demeanor and identify symptoms
  • A great bedside manner and the ability to remain calm, empathetic and patient while interacting with patients who suffer from severe mental disorders
  • Thoughtful and compassionate
  • MD or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Certification from the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS)
  • Residency program in Psychiatry

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