Psychiatrist - Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare

Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare (COBH) operates as a critical component of Ohio's state-operated psychiatric hospital system within the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). As part of this coordinated statewide network of regional psychiatric hospitals, COBH works in close partnership with sister facilities to ensure consistent standards of care, operational alignment, and system-wide responsiveness to the behavioral health needs of Ohio's communities.

Through this integrated state hospital network, COBH contributes to shared clinical protocols, quality initiatives, workforce strategies, forensic coordination, and emergency response planning that strengthen Ohio's public behavioral health infrastructure.

COBH delivers evidence-based treatment through a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other behavioral health professionals who work collaboratively to promote recovery, stability, and successful reintegration into the community. In addition to individualized treatment planning, COBH emphasizes trauma-informed care, person-centered recovery, and strong partnerships with local mental health boards, community providers, and support networks.

As a safety-net provider, COBH also serves court-referred individuals through forensic services, ensuring access to high‑quality care while supporting community safety. The hospital is committed to fostering hope, dignity, and empowerment for every person it serves.

COBH provides recovery-based, comprehensive, quality, cost-effective mental health services to adults with severe mental illness in a secure inpatient setting. The main facility opened in 2024 and consists of 208 acute and longer-term patient beds. The maximum-security facility, Timothy B. Moritz Forensic Unit, has four units with 52 beds and serves all 88 Ohio counties. The length of stay varies for each patient but generally is 10-14 days on the acute care units. Prior to discharge, we work collaboratively with the mental health centers to link patients with an outpatient treatment team or their own psychiatrist to maintain their progress in the community.

As one of Ohio's major state-operated psychiatric hospitals, COBH serves as a regional hub for inpatient psychiatric services while supporting statewide forensic capacity and inter-facility collaboration.

What you'll do at DBH:

You will deliver recovery-focused patient care in a setting that supports your professional needs. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health and Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare (COBH) encourages collaboration with medical colleagues and peer consultation to give patients the highest-quality integrated care. Most importantly, you will have time to meet with your patients and provide the high-quality psychiatric treatment they deserve. As an COBH psychiatrist, you will have a fulfilling professional life as well as time to have a satisfying life outside of your clinical practice. As a psychiatrist, you'll:

• Conduct comprehensive evaluations, examinations, and analyses to diagnose and treat patients, and prescribe necessary medications.
• Lead Treatment Team meetings, providing clinical direction to team members in developing Individual Treatment Plans (ITPs) for assigned patients. Conducting mental and physical examinations as part of patient assessments.
• Administer and monitor psychopharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and other relevant treatments, offering both individual and group therapy. Regularly assess each patient's medical condition and seek consultations, referrals, or transfers as needed to maintain patient health.
• Coordinate with external psychiatrists and healthcare providers to ensure seamless, continuous care as patients transition to community-based settings.
• Maintain thorough documentation of all activities and treatments to ensure compliance with standards set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (TJC), Medicare, Medicaid, the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), as well as hospital policies, regulations, and directives.
• Provide guidance to professional, paraprofessional, nursing, and direct care staff on matters related to the psychiatric care of patients.
• Conduct court‑ordered psychiatric evaluations, including competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and risk assessments.
• Prepare thorough, timely forensic reports for courts and other legal stakeholders in accordance with statutory requirements and professional forensic standards.
• Participate in forensic case reviews and multidisciplinary discussions related to risk management, conditional release, and patient placement.
• Ensure all forensic clinical documentation meets legal standards and agency expectations for accuracy, completeness, and defensibility.

Why choose DBH:

• Holistic Approach- Practice psychiatry in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
• Treat to Recovery- Our Psychiatrists have the dedicated time needed to treat patients thoroughly and compassionately, free from the strict timeframe limitations often seen in private hospital systems.
• Loan Repayment- Receive up to $30,000 annually for physician loan repayment.
• Generous Time Off- Enjoy 11 paid holidays and 4 weeks of vacation from day one.
• Retirement Security- Benefit from our robust State pension with a 14% state contribution, for a total of 24% going to your retirement per paycheck.
• Professional Growth- Up to $4,000 annually for tuition reimbursement and continuing education; no-cost CME credits and funds are available for one professional license or one professional certification annually.
• Outside Work- Non-exclusive employment policy allows for additional work opportunities.
• Comprehensive Health Plans- Access excellent healthcare coverage.
• Benefit Trade-Off Option- If declining the health insurance benefit, may choose to take the equivalent of what the Employer's contribution would be, in the form of wages.
• No-cost malpractice insurance

Compensation:

Along with competitive salary levels, psychiatrists may also be eligible for a variety of pay supplements that elevate the total hourly rate based on background and assignment, including:

• Resident Supervision Supplement- For board certified/board eligible psychiatrists affiliated with a medical school and designated to supervise residents assigned to a hospital.
• Geographic Recruitment Incentive- For psychiatrists who choose to serve in designated locations across Ohio.
• Experience-Based Supplements- Additional compensation available for psychiatrists with years of post-residency experience.
• Forensic Experience Incentive- For psychiatrists practicing in forensic settings.
• Training & Recognition Supplements- Discretionary supplements may be provided for specialized trainings, certifications, or professional awards.

Additional Earning Opportunities:

• Medical Officer on Duty (MOD) Shifts- Psychiatrists may elect to take MOD shifts, compensated at 80% of the hourly rate, offering flexibility and an opportunity to increase earnings.

DBH Psychiatrist Qualifications

Certificate to practice medicine per Section 4731.13 of Revised Code; satisfactory completion of residency training program in psychiatry, as approved by the residency review committee of the American Medical Association, the committee on post-graduate education of the American Osteopathic Association or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology & Psychiatry or has been recognized as a psychiatrist by the Ohio State Medical Association or the Ohio Osteopathic Association on the basis of formal training & 5 or more yrs. of medical practice limited to psychiatry per Section 5122.01(E) of Revised Code.

Primary Skill: Psychiatry

Technical Skills: Behavioral Health, Human Services, Medical Records, Medication Management

Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Decision Making, Situational Awareness

REQUIRED EDUCATIONAL TRANSCRIPTS:

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution's website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.