Psychiatrist

Overview

The Psychiatrist, in the Psychiatric Emergency Room, is responsible to provide diagnostic assessment and crisis intervention for patients brought from the community by Emergency Medical Service and referred from various community mental health services. The Psychiatrist must assess the issue of danger to self or others and the need for inpatient hospitalization for psychiatrically ill and substance abusing patients.

Responsibilities

• The psychiatrist provides diagnostic assessment for each patient through a psychiatric interview.
• The diagnostic assessment includes but is not limited to an assessment of risk of hurting self or others.
• The psychiatrist, with the input of the other E.R. staff including the RN and Substance Abuse Counselor, determines the required level and type of care for this patient.
• The psychiatrist may determine that the patient requires inpatient care and will complete a 9.39 MHL (One Physician Certification) which allows the inpatient hospitalization against the will of the patient.
• The psychiatrist evaluates psychiatric, substance abuse, and medical issues.
• The psychiatrist may request medical consultation from the physicians of the General ER and will collaborate with those physicians in determining the safest and appropriate disposition whether inpatient psychiatry, detoxification, or inpatient medical/surgical care.
• The psychiatrist documents the findings in the medical record, obtains consent, and provides initial orders for inpatient psychiatric care and detoxification.
• If the patient does not require inpatient care the psychiatrist will provide an aftercare referral recommendation if appropriate.
• The psychiatric coverage is available 24 hours per day.
• The psychiatrist assigned to the Psychiatric ER is responsible to provide emergency psychiatric services for the acute psychiatric inpatient service and substance abuse inpatient services evenings, nights, and weekends.
• The psychiatrist in the ER serves as the administrative presence for the Department of Psychiatry during other than business hours.The psychiatrist has telephone back up from the Assistant Director Psychiatry, the Asst.
• V.P.
• Psychiatry and the Chairman/ Sr.
• VP Medical Affairs.
• The psychiatrist will provide consultations and liaison services for the general hospital as assigned.