Staff Psychiatrist - Full-Time, Part-Time, and Extra Help

Position Information

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services seeks dedicated and compassionate Staff Psychiatrists to join their team. Whether you are seeking a full-time or a part-time role, we are committed to supporting your professional development while ensuring a manageable workload that promotes work-life balance. We offer the possibility of providing care through telehealth, allowing for flexibility and remote work options.

Staff Psychiatrists are members of the Behavioral Health Division of the Department of Health Services. The Behavioral Health Division includes Adult Services, Older Adult Services, Youth and Family Services, Acute and Forensics, and the Crisis Stabilization Unit. The Behavioral Health Services Division provides, in these settings, assessment and evaluation, case management, outpatient psychotherapy, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Full Service Partnership (FSP), medication support and monitoring, consumer and family support, substance use disorder treatment services, and housing and navigation services. As a Staff Psychiatrist, your responsibilities include:

• Conducting psychiatric evaluations and assessments to diagnose mental health and substance use disorders
• Developing and implementing individualized treatment plans for patients utilizing evidence-based practices
• Providing medication management and monitoring for patients with psychiatric conditions
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, including therapists, social workers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic care
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation of patient encounters and treatment plans in electronic health records (EHR)
• Providing crisis evaluation and intervention

The ideal candidates will possess:

• An understanding of and experience working in a community behavioral health setting
• Experience and training working with evidence-based practices and practicing recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care
• A high degree of cultural humility
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience using Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Skills for and comfort working with clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, including using motivational interviewing techniques and a harm reduction approach
• The ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and associated community-based organizations
• Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) registration and enrollment as a Medicare provider, are highly desirable, but not required.

NOTE: Possession of a valid license to practice medicine in the State of California, a current Drug Enforcement Association (DEA) license, and certification of completion of a residency training program in psychiatry which is approved by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and which resulted in board eligibility are requirements of this role.

The Department of Health Services (DHS)

DHS is one of the County's largest and most complex departments. DHS consists of the Administration, Behavioral Health, Public Health, and Homelessness Services Divisions and is driven by its mission to promote, protect, and ensure access to services that support the health, recovery, and well-being of all in Sonoma County. These ideas are the basis for how DHS operates and delivers services:

• Excellence - Strive to create a culture of learning, innovation, and data-driven practices to guide internal operations, improve performance, and build staff expertise
• Collaboration - Engage and work collaboratively with partners, communities, and staff to maximize its impact across the County
• Equity - Work to reduce disparities and ensure fairness, compassion, and social justice

For more information regarding the department, its programs, services, and partnerships, visit the DHS website .

The Benefits of County Employment
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

^Hiring Incentives
The Department of Health Services is currently offering a $25,000 signing bonus paid over three installments during the first two years of service.

EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT

Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Labor Agreements for Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple full-time, part-time and extra-help (temporary) positions in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a valid license to practice medicine in the State of California, a current Drug Enforcement Association (DEA) license, and certification of completion of a residency training program in psychiatry which is approved by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and which resulted in board eligibility. Experience in community mental health services systems, forensic psychiatry, and child psychiatry is highly desirable.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: the principles and methods of psychiatry and general medicine; individual and group psychotherapy and the use of medications in psychiatric and related conditions.

Knowledge of: current developments in the field of psychiatry especially as it relates to the practice in a public mental health model with a team approach and an emphasis on the philosophy of recovery, child psychiatry and forensic psychiatry; criminal justice organizations, clinic organizations, management, and procedures including legal testimony involving care, clinical record keeping, consultation, liaison with hospitals and private practitioners; the principles and applications of psychiatric social work, clinical psychology, and various rehabilitation therapies; psychiatric research methods and techniques.

Ability to: perform psychiatric diagnosis, treatment interpretations and recommendations; analyze clinical problems and take effective course of action; direct and coordinate the work of subordinate personnel; establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative, medical and non-medical staff, Correctional and Court staff, patients and the general public; speak and write effectively; prepare records and reports, and reports especially related to evaluation for the Court.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: BH
HR Technician: RR

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

• 

• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

Show more