Psychiatrist

Job Summary

Responsible for psychiatry services within the Student Health Service (SHS) that serves University of British Columbia (UBC) students. SHS helps students meet their educational goals by helping them to reduce barriers to their academic success through improved wellbeing and management of acute and chronic mental health conditions. The staff psychiatrist must integrate their knowledge and skills in managing mental health issues of predominantly adolescents and early adults with UBC specific requirements, using both UBC and external resources.

As an integral part of the Student Health Team, the incumbent will be expected to be connected to management, team physicians and other team members on a regular basis. They will support referral pathways, assessment and triage, and assist in the development of policy, procedures and programs related to psychiatry in SHS. They will be the first point of contact for consultation and questions from providers in Student Health & Wellbeing regarding psychiatry.

The staff psychiatrist enacts a commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusionary practices throughout their care for students.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Medical Director, Student Health Service. Develops and maintains effective contacts with other medical facilities, college and university mental health services, community groups, and professional organizations. The staff psychiatrist works closely with other primary care and specialist physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health nurses, primary care nurses, and medical office assistants.

Work Performed

The staff psychiatrist is responsible for the mental health care of the patients at the UBC SHS.

They provide patient care by referral only through scheduled in-person, Telehealth, and Virtual appointments, including one-on-one and group visits. Service deliverables include: assessment, triage, psychotherapy, medication management, referrals, and emergency/crisis response.

The incumbent will be responsible for providing clinical intervention with a specific patient present, including the following:

• Consultations, which includes taking relevant medical and psychiatric history, performing appropriate psychiatric examination, reviewing of laboratory findings, and writing the consultation reports.

• Offering medically appropriate care for the patient’s conditions at or above the current standard of practice based on available medical evidence or traditional and/or historically expected level of care for the service rendered.

• Individual or group counselling.

• On-going monitoring of the patient’s condition.

• Discussion with and providing advice and information to the patient, the referring physician or the patient’s representative regarding the patient’s conditions and recommended therapy.

• All other activities normally provided by a psychiatrist.

The staff psychiatrist is responsible for other scopes of work, including but not limited to:

• Arranging for related assessments, procedures and/or therapy as may be appropriate, and interpreting the results.

• Arranging for follow-up care.

• Making and maintaining an adequate medical record of the encounter in accordance.

• Triaging of the psychiatry referral and management of the psychiatry wait list.

• All other activities normally provided by a psychiatrist when no specific patient is present.

Supports referral pathways and completion of assessments and triage of students on the psychiatry waitlist. They will assist the management team in the development of policy, procedures and programs related to psychiatry in SHS. They will be the first point of contact for consultation and questions from providers in Student Health & Wellbeing regarding psychiatry. Ensures that services are provided in ways that are sensitive and responsive to the broad range of diversity within the student population, including but not limited to gender, race, culture, ability, and sexual orientation.

May participate and collaborate with UBC or other healthcare professionals in the development of clinical mental health programs and initiatives, including group medical or counselling programs.

Acts as a liaison with and consultation to faculties, departments and other student services regarding students in crises. Liaisons and case consultations with UBC Counselling Services professional staff, and with the Medical Director and other SHS professional staff regarding clinic policy, specific case diagnosis, and management relating to mental health issues.

May participate in health promotion programs to promote wellness, including the development of web based information, and presentations related to Health & Wellbeing at various venues on campus, including educational content for faculty, staff and students.

Participates in relevant professional development on mental health issues related to the post-secondary student population.

Works collaboratively with UBC and non-UBC professionals, including SHS medical and psychiatric staff to identify, develop, and implement innovations and initiatives, which enhance the overall effectiveness of service delivery.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Accountable to the Medical Director, Student Health Service. Must exercise judgement based upon a thorough knowledge of medical procedures, guidelines and regulations. Errors in judgement may cause serious results and/or harm to students or staff, reduce service, cause embarrassment and loss of credibility for the involved staff or provider, the Medical Director, and SHS.

The staff psychiatrist at SHS takes on all the responsibilities of a fully licensed psychiatrist. Decisions are made in consultation with the patient. Patient charts are periodically audited by the Medical Director.

Supervision Received
Works primarily independently. Goals and objectives are established in consultation with the Medical Director, Student Health Service, and evaluated on an annual basis. The supervision is limited to policy, hours and work assignments. Specifically, the staff psychiatrist is expected to work with colleagues and allied health professionals as required but is not subject to direct supervision of the care they provide to patients.

Supervision Given
Works closely with the fee-for-service psychiatrists and medical office assistants. Ensures compliance with UBC policies and professional ethics and guidelines. May work with medical residents in psychiatry or other specialties to provide training and mentorship.

Qualifications

• Holds an accredited medical degree recognized in Canada.

• Completion of an accredited fellowship training program in psychiatry recognized by the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (RCPC). Holds or is eligible for an active and unrestricted medical license to practice in psychiatry with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). Must have this license prior to the official start date of employment.

• Active member of the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) or equivalent for medial liability insurance.

• Competencies in the use of electronic medical records (EMR).

• Proven sensibility and appreciation of the role that indigeneity, gender, race, disability, gender identity, sexuality, and social background play in the experience of health, wellbeing, and health promotion & education in a university setting. Demonstrated commitment to social justice, inclusion, diversity, and health equity.

Minimum Qualifications

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Competencies in delivering psychiatry care via Telehealth and/or Virtual Health as required.

• Minimum of 3 or more years of successful practice experience in the context of young adult psychiatry, preferably in a higher education setting.

• Professional training, theory base, and/or knowledge in the areas of student development, medical treatment and psychotherapy, psychiatric assessment, multicultural psychiatric care, normal psychology and psychopathology, ethical and professional standards of practice, relevant federal and provincial statues, consultation, technology, and leadership.

• Knowledge and understanding of university procedures and policies as they relate to students.

• Clinical approach that is congruent with the needs of a post secondary student population.

• Knowledge of student development theory and its implications for the provision of psychiatric services.

• Commitment to evidence based practice. Strong organizational skills. Ability to interact effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, colleagues, and community members. Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.