Principal Psychiatrist (40 Hour)

Introduction

If you're interested in working as a Psychiatrist with DOC (in any capacity whether it be full time, part time or per diem) please contact Andrew Pebley at [redacted].

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) has exciting opportunities for multiple Principal Psychiatrists to join our Healthcare Services Units, with current and future vacancies in Bridgeport, Cheshire, East Lyme, Newtown, and Suffield.

This recruitment will also be used to fill future vacancies at facilities across the State! We encourage all Psychiatrists who are interested in an opportunity with the DOC to apply.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• SCHEDULE: First shift, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• LOCATIONS:
  • Bridgeport Correctional Center (Bridgeport, CT)
  • Manson Youth Institution (Cheshire, CT)
  • York Correctional Institution (East Lyme, CT)
  • Garner Correctional Institution (Newtown, CT)
  • MacDougall Walker Correctional Institution (Suffield, CT)
• NOTE: This is a hazardous duty position. Selected candidates will be required to attend a 14-week hazardous duty (paid) training at the Maloney Center for Training & Staff Development located in Cheshire, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage;
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings, including a 25-year hazardous duty retirement (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV);
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• Eligibility to apply for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program;
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities; and
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

*Salary Note: Compensation for this position is agreed upon by The State of Connecticut and the 1199 Bargaining Union and includes a 10 Step Salary Plan. As such, compensation is non-negotiable as this agreement is in place. However, the Agency does have the flexibility to increase salary for experience as a Psychiatrist and for an additional Board Certification Specialty. The following criteria provides the Agency opportunity to increase compensation:

Experience Starting Salary + Specialized Board Less than 3 years $253,879 $261,495 3 years $261,495 $269,341 4 years $269,341 $277,421 5 years $277,421 $285,743 6 years $285,743 $294,315

In addition to the base annual salary, you may be approved for these additional compensation bonuses:

• Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) may be approved as a recruitment incentive, in addition to the base annual salary.
• A three thousand dollar ($3,000) annual bonus will be eligible for physicians who are Board-Certified in their area of practice.
• Physicians who have a job related second Board (e.g., Forensic psychiatry, Addiction psychiatry, etc.) will be eligible to receive a five thousand dollar ($5,000) annual bonus.
• Voluntary on-call coverage and weekend coverage are available at additional reimbursement.
• 16 hours per month paid Continuing Medical Education or Professional Development / Maintenance of Certification.

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.

YOUR ROLEWe are seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our team as Principal Psychiatrists to improve the well-being of our clients/patients.
This recruitment will be utilized to fill both current and future vacancies. Selected candidates can be assigned any unit or location:

• Bridgeport Correctional Center - Bridgeport, CT
• Manson Youth Institution - Cheshire, CT
• York Correctional Institution - East Lyme, CT
• Garner Correctional Institution - Newtown, CT
• MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution - Suffield, CT

As a Principal Psychiatrist with the CT DOC:

• You will be part of a vibrant professional learning community of Board Certified Psychiatrists who work together;
• You will provide support to an agency that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; and
• You will make a difference in the public sector.

As a member of the Health Services Unit, you will have the opportunity to:

• Be part of a 700-member team dedicated to improving the health of nearly 11,000 patients.
• Fulfill public service by providing clinical care to a vulnerable patient population.
• Avoid hassles with insurance companies and billing requirements.
• Work in a safe and collaborative environment with nursing and administrative support.
• Get clinical exposure to varied medical pathologies and case presentations.
• Perform charting with a modern electronic health record.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR STAFF

"Working in corrections is a unique experience that has provided me with a strong, predictable income with generous benefits. More importantly, I get to work in an environment that allows me to care for the sickest and in many cases underserved mentally ill patients in our community without insurance restrictions. I enjoy access to a generous, nearly unlimited formulary, and I can refer for somatic treatments without insurance impediments, as well. I find the work rewarding on multiple levels, from the patients who have stabilized well within our system to working with some of the most talented nurses, psychologists, medical doctors and social workers in their fields. I feel good coming to work every day knowing that the work I do matters!" -Dr. G., Principal Psychiatrist

For an inside look at how healthcare employees make a difference in a correctional setting, watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Children and Families, Correction and Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for providing clinical administrative/supervisory functions and/or direct care psychiatric services as a board-certified advanced clinician.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Provides 24-hour supervision to specified groups of patients and facility coverage as scheduled including on-call coverage and weekend coverage;
• Makes rounds and provides direct care and clinical oversight of multi-disciplinary treatment teams;
• Coordinates work of medical staff with related programs;
• Reviews treatment plans, clinical records, diagnoses, and patient discharge plans for adherence to policies and/or The Joint Commission (TJC) and Health Care Financing Authority (HCFA) standards;
• Provides education and training as indicated, e.g., grand rounds and case conferences;
• Assigns, oversees and evaluates work of staff and on-site night duty physicians and/or psychiatrists;
• Conducts and/or participates in meetings on clinical and administrative policy, research programs, clinical program development and treatment techniques;
• Assesses, examines and evaluates patients for admission or discharge;
• Assesses, examines, diagnoses and prescribes appropriate medications and other biologic and psychosocial treatments for patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders;
• Performs advanced level risk assessments;
• Consults on difficult and/or complex cases;
• Develops and implements QA and/or QI process improvement initiatives;
• Prepares and/or reviews reports, medical records and correspondence;
• Performs utilization review and management functions;
• Attends court hearings as a state witness;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • methods and principles of behavioral health medicine;
  • current principles and methods of assessment and treatment of patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders;
  • recent developments in field of psychiatry and substance abuse including treatment models and best practices;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Considerable ability to
  • examine for, diagnose, assess and treat patients with psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders;
  • prescribe and conduct psychotherapy, medications and other treatments specific to psychiatric and substance abuse disorders;
• Ability to
  • develop a collaborative group prac