Lead Psychiatry

FLSA: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Behavioral Health

INTRODUCTION

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Behavioral Health, the Psychiatry Lead is responsible for, but not limited to, coordination of the clinical and quality activities of her/his Specialty and serves as a liaison between Unity Health Care, Inc. (“Unity”) and the community.

MAJOR DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supports the health center and organization in contributing to the quadruple aim: improving health outcomes, improving patient experience, supporting care team well-being and the financial sustainability of the organization.

Health outcomes

• Performs patient care and mental health provider duties in a safe way that is compliant with policies and procedures of Unity Health Care. This includes:
  1. Attends Unity health clinic(s)
  2. Obtains clinical histories.
  3. Performs full range of psychiatric services to include: examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients.
  4. Determines tests needed, orders and interprets clinical and laboratory results.
  5. Assists the in the development of comprehensive and therapeutic treatment plans for an assigned caseload and provides direct services based on established treatment.
  6. Evaluates psychotropic medication needs of UHC patients and recommend the appropriate treatments to patients.
  7. Manages on-site crisis intervention.
  8. Periodically monitors, records, and provides appropriate feedback on clinical service delivery by the mental health team.
  9. Formulates diagnostic and treatment recommendations for patients and present findings to treatment teams (i.e., physicians, social workers, psychologists, and nursing staff as appropriate)
  10. Prepares formal written reports on evaluations and recommendations for the authorized referral agencies.
  11. Referrals to hospitals, specialists, or other providers when needed
• Defines and implements Unity-wide QI initiatives and arranges for associated education and training
• Participates in monthly Unity-wide QI meetings
• Conducts the Psychiatry Provider monthly meetings
• Serves as a liaison between Unity and the community
• Contacts supervisor for departmental issues as they occur
• Conducts thorough peer reviews and provides constructive feedback to peers
• Documents in the medical chart in an appropriate and timely manner
• Reviews and implements clinical best practices and optimizes CME time to stay up to date
• Collaborates with BH leadership and staff on panel and population management
• Maintains clinical privileges and responds to inquiries in a timely and complete manner
• Updates patient registries as needed to maintain population health
• Serves as a consultant to Unity’s CMO (or designee) regarding establishment, and revision of Unity’s policies and procedures, and Clinical Practice Guidelines/Standards of Care
• Attends meetings as assigned

Patient Experience

• Reviews patient experience data with BH director and Medical Director and translates into action steps to ensure a welcoming, patient-centered environment for all patients
• Communicates to patients respectfully and partners with them in their care by spending time actively listening and clearly explaining their recommendations
• Provides culturally competent and high-quality care
• Uses translation services when needed
• Timely in all patient facing duties- visits, returning phone calls
• Responds to patient complaints and works towards resolution for the patient
• Provides excellent customer service and professionalism towards patients
• Maintains a clinical schedule that allows access for patients, including providing sufficient notice for time off, and providing options for patients to be seen when rescheduled on short notice
• Provide concise documentation of care and recommendations in patient’s medical record
• Determine the appropriateness of the patient receiving services in the primary care setting, and assisting with implementation of treatment plans
• Formulate behavioral health interventions appropriate to primary care setting
• Provide brief follow ups, including relapse –prevention education
• Teach patients, families, and primary care treatment team, prevention, and treatment techniques
• Works with Health Center staff to ensure continuity and thoroughness of care
• Provide timely and succinct feedback to primary care providers regarding consultations, findings and recommendations
• Promptness to work

Care team well-being

• Arranges, when applicable, in coordination with site leadership provider coverage for their specialty
• Embraces team mentality- including building trust, exchanging feedback, and showing appreciation with team members. Leads by example and works closely with others to provide comprehensive, team-based care
• Serves as consultant to various Unity providers on clinical issues
• Provides recognition to providers and team members who are performing well
• Teaches and coaches staff members to work at the top of their ability
• Promotes education and skill-building to enhance psychological and physical health
• Collaborates to improve or maintain provider/staff/patient satisfaction, quality of care, and productivity
• Assists primary health care providers in recognizing and treating patients with mental health concerns
• Participates in student and resident teaching, including with partner hospital
• Attends and actively engages at team, center and organization-wide meetings
• Maintains work-life balance and recognizes when they may be experiencing burnout and takes steps to improve it
• Demonstrates flexibility and agility in working with others to meet the needs of patients

Financial health

• Monitors own productivity and utilization levels and works with behavioral health and health center leadership to identify opportunities to optimize visit volume
• Is willing to see patients if needed (e.g., late patients, walk-in patients) as the schedule and time allows
• Educates patients on the value of a health care visit
• Leverages nursing visits and other staff where appropriate
• Participates in population health efforts
• Works collaboratively with Behavioral Health and Medical Directors to schedule patients to promote access
• Creatively identifies way to improve flow and efficiency in the day
• Locks notes in a timely manner (within 48 hours) and fixes and addresses any outstanding claims

Other duties

• Serves on committee(s) as requested by Senior BH Director, Deputy CMO, or CMO (e.g. Behavioral Health Integration, Behavioral Health QI, etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current DC MD (or NP), DEA, and CDS licenses.
• Board Certification in Psychiatry or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in ambulatory care setting with some contact with homeless and/or medically underserved patients preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong administrative experience.
• Experience with underserved population or other special needs populations preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in using good judgment in working with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to articulate the mission of Unity Health Care through his/her work.
• Proven results in Project Management

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The position reports to the Senior Director of Behavioral Health.

GUIDELINES

The position abides by all rules and regulations set forth by applicable licensing and regulator bodies, as well as UHC policies and procedures.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

The position requires contact with staff at all levels throughout the organization. There are also external organization relationships that may be apart of the work of this individual.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

See the ADA Physical Efforts Checklist.

RISKS

Some walking, standing, bending and carrying of light items such as books and paper is required. The position’s work involves everyday risk and discomforts, which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, training rooms, and other UHC sites. The work area is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated. All medical services shall be provided according to medically accepted community standards of care. The employee shall provide evidence of a recent (within the past twelve (12) months) health assessment that includes a PPD and/or chest x-ray results.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.