Psychiatrist - Forensics

Job Responsibilities

This position is eligible for a $40,000 special assignment pay.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Psychiatrist who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Forensic Services, Crafts-Farrow, 7901 Farrow Rd, Columbia, SC 29203.

As the Psychiatrist, working under limited supervision, perform services to the Inpatient Hospital Service. Provide service to the court system by evaluating detainees on an Acute and/or Chronic Inpatient Unit in the specialty service of the Forensic Division. Exercise medical responsibility for a hospital psychiatric unit; interview, examine, diagnose, and treat mental disorders of patients. Perform professional duties requiring analysis of broad and complex issues.

• Conduct court-related evaluations. Must have expert knowledge in evaluating mentally ill inmates/patients.
• Maintain a reasonable working relationship with various court systems in South Carolina.
• Provide expert testimony in court when required, which requires detailed knowledge of mental health law. Represent OMH in a professional manner.
• Direct medical care of acute and/or chronic forensic unit. Coordinate work of multi-disciplinary clinical team in care and treatment of detainees and/or NGRIs/other forensic patients in high acuity, high management environment. Require detailed knowledge of managing dangerous, aggressive forensic patients.
• Conduct daily ward rounds with staff professionals; conduct examinations and prescribe treatment. Excellent diagnostic skills mandatory due to high rate of potential for malingered psychosis and other mental illnesses in forensic population.
• Provide teaching/supervision at times of medical students, residents and forensic fellows.
• Act as a resource consultant to staff members.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. Completion of a four-year (4) residency in psychiatry and a minimum of three (3) years in a psychiatric program. Board certified/Board eligible in general/adult psychiatry.

• Able to work with repetitive unusual patient behaviors including but not limited to combative, threatening, acting out and unpredictable violence. May be exposed to blood. Ability to lift a minimum of fifty (50) pounds. Evaluates seriously mentally ill detainees from county jails who have a high potential for violence.
• Able to work in a high security atmosphere with detainees who have a high potential for violence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of post-residency experience in psychiatric care of patients.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments

Post hire, employee must:

• Have excellent communication skills.
• Be able to testify in court.
• Be able to work in a locked facility guarded by Custody Officers and evaluate seriously mentally ill patients from county jails who have a high potential for violence.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

• Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.