Staff Psychiatrist

At Root Center for Advanced Recovery, we build relationships that empower patients with the courage and ability to change by providing guidance and support throughout every step of recovery. We are caring, knowledgeable professionals who believe in honoring the potential of every individual while continually renewing ourselves, embracing new perspectives, and recognizing that progress is the destination. For more than 150 years, we have remained committed to inspiring hope and strengthening the communities we serve.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package designed to support your personal and professional well-being, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employer-paid life insurance and short-term disability, a generous retirement plan with employer contributions, four weeks of PTO, paid holidays (including your birthday), professional development funding, annual bonus eligibility, excellent work-life balance with a 35-hour work week and no current on-call responsibilities, and eligibility for multiple NHSC Loan Repayment Programs.

Salary Range: $300,000 to $320,000

Position Summary

The Staff Psychiatrist provides comprehensive psychiatric and addiction medicine services to individuals receiving treatment for mental health and substance use disorders across Root Center's programs. This position serves patients enrolled in opioid treatment programs (OTP), as well as individuals receiving outpatient mental health, intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), residential, and other behavioral health services.

The Staff Psychiatrist is responsible for psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, medication management, and the medical treatment of opioid use disorder, including methadone and other FDA-approved medications for addiction treatment. The position works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe, effective, integrated, and evidence-based behavioral health care.

Essential Functions

1. Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment - Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and ongoing psychiatric care. - Diagnose and treat mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. - Prescribe and manage psychiatric medications, including monitoring effectiveness, adverse reactions, and drug interactions. - Provide psychiatric consultation, crisis assessment, and appropriate referrals for higher levels of care. - Provide psychiatric services to patients in OTP services and/or outpatient behavioral health treatment programs.

2. Opioid Treatment Program Services - Conduct medical and psychiatric evaluations for OTP admissions and determine appropriateness for medication treatment. - Prescribe and manage methadone, buprenorphine, and other approved medications for opioid use disorder within applicable regulations. - Evaluate and authorize medication induction, stabilization, maintenance, dose adjustments, and medical monitoring as appropriate. - Evaluate and manage co-occurring psychiatric conditions that may affect OTP treatment and retention. - Collaborate with nursing and clinical staff regarding medication administration, patient safety, and continuity of care.

3. Integrated Behavioral Health Services - Provide psychiatric services across OTP, outpatient mental health, IOP, PHP, residential, and other applicable behavioral health programs. - Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, clinical case reviews, and care coordination. - Consult with counselors, nurses, advanced practice providers, and other clinical professionals regarding complex patient needs. - Support continuity of care across programs and appropriate transitions between levels of treatment. - Provide telehealth services when clinically appropriate and permitted by applicable regulations.

4. Clinical Quality, Safety, and Compliance - Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation in the electronic medical record. - Ensure clinical practices comply with applicable federal and Connecticut regulations, professional standards, and accreditation requirements. - Follow organizational protocols for prescribing controlled substances, medication monitoring, and patient safety. - Participate in clinical quality improvement, peer review, and clinical education initiatives. - Collaborate with the Medical Director and clinical leadership to address identified clinical concerns and improve treatment outcomes.

Qualification Requirements

• MD or DO with completion of an accredited psychiatry residency; board-certified or board-eligible in Psychiatry. - Current, unrestricted Connecticut medical license and required DEA and Connecticut controlled-substance registrations.
• Eligibility to participate in Medicare, Medicaid, and other applicable payer programs. - Demonstrated competency in psychiatric care, substance use disorders, medication management, and treatment of co-occurring disorders. Preferred Qualifications - Board certification in Addiction Psychiatry or Addiction Medicine. - Experience providing medical services within an opioid treatment program. - Experience with methadone and buprenorphine treatment. - Experience working in integrated behavioral health programs, including outpatient, IOP, PHP, and residential settings. - Familiarity with Connecticut DPH, DMHAS, SAMHSA, DEA, and CARF requirements. - Experience using electronic medical records in behavioral health settings. Scope of Practice The Staff Psychiatrist provides medical and psychiatric services related to mental health and substance use disorders. The Staff Psychiatrist works under the organization's established medical leadership structure and may perform delegated OTP medical responsibilities consistent with applicable regulations, clinical privileges, and organizational policies.

Special Responsibilities and Expectations

Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or changed as assigned by management. Perform additional duties within the scope of psychiatric and addiction medicine practice as assigned by the Medical Director or organizational leadership.

Orientation/Training

Employee agrees to participate in orientation and training required by both regulatory and funding agencies as well as accreditation standards, to include but not limited to corporate compliance, and HIPAA Privacy and Security.

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