Geriatric Psychiatrist

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Job Description

A geriatric psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues common in older patients.

There are certain mental disorders that occur later in life, such as dementias and Alzheimer’s disease.

Older patients frequently have to deal with multiple health issues simultaneously, including:

Intense grief over the loss of a spouse or lifetime friends
Feeling as though they have no purpose or feeling isolated
Stressing over financial concerns
Fears of disease, death or fears of injury from accidents, such as falling
Emotional difficulties related to health issues, such as coping with pain or a devastating disease such as cancer
Difficulty coping with changes around them

A geriatric psychiatrist is trained to help patients with the above concerns as well as provide diagnosis and treatment for specific mental disorders that may occur at any age, such as:

Depression
Anxiety
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Alcohol/substance abuse

The geriatric psychiatrist begins the process by taking a complete history of the patient’s health, the support system available through the family, the patient’s living situation and general mental status.

They can then order any tests required to aid in determining a diagnosis.

In many cases, the family members are consulted to obtain information about the patient’s situation and to ensure that they understand the diagnosis and are able to follow the treatment plan.

If the family needs assistance to support the patient, the geriatric psychiatrist may also recommend resources that can help.

Responsibilities

Many patients who consult a geriatric psychiatrist are also seeing other health care providers. A geriatric psychiatrist consults with other health care providers to devise a plan to manage other health issues or medications that may be impacting the patient’s mental status.

Geriatric psychiatrists also engage in research, in teaching other psychiatrists and other health care professionals, and consult with businesses and institutions that work to develop medications to treat metal illnesses that affect the elderly.

Skills

A geriatric psychiatrist is a physician who specializes is the human psyche, so they have a long list of skills.

They must be able to engage with people and use their medical expertise to make a comprehensive assessment of patients.

They combine medication along with therapy sessions to develop treatment plans and help people overcome mental disorders.

Perception	Psychiatrists must be able to gauge how people react and read their body language to decipher their feelings and predict their actions. They must be able to determine if people could be a risk to themselves or others and to distinguish truths from lies.
Reasoning	Psychiatrists must be able to apply facts and principles to issues to determine conclusions and solve problems. They must use knowledge and logic to find patters in happenings and determine causes and provide solutions.
Communication	Must be very compassionate and able to empathize with a patient's pain and other difficulties. They are able to make people feel comfortable and meet them at their emotional level to humanize themselves and let people know they care.
Empathy	Must be very compassionate and able to empathize with a patient's pain and other difficulties. They are able to make people feel comfortable and meet them at their emotional level to humanize themselves and let people know they care.
Stress Management	Must be emotionally stable and deal with stress effectively, so they can help others who cannot deal with their emotions or stress. Must be a solid foundation and be able to handle stress and separate personal emotion so as to stay objective and be effective in treatment.
Ethics	Psychiatrists must have a solid ethical code and keep sessions with patients confidential as they can greatly affect people's lives. Must know that there could be consequences for error.
Open-Mindedness	Psychiatrists interact with a range of people from all walks of life, therefore they must be open-minded and tolerant of different cultures and circumstances. Since they are in a research field, they must be open to new studies and findings as to adapt with changing times.
Patience	Psychiatrists need to be very patient, because of the long sessions with patients and while doing research to become a better professional. They must understand it takes time to see results and be willing to put in that time.
Trustworthiness	People have to trust psychiatrists. The job is all about inspiring patients to confide in you and trust you with their problems. If you aren't trustworthy, you will never make it as a psychiatrist.

Working Conditions

Employment opportunities for geriatric psychiatrists may be found in any or all of the following:

Long-term care facilities
Private or group practices
Assisted living centers
Veteran’s hospitals or general hospitals
Academic institutions

Geriatric psychiatrists who work in inpatient facilities may have to work on-call, nights and weekend assignments.

A geriatric psychiatrist can greatly improve the quality of life for the patients suffering from mental illnesses and their families.

The work can be challenging and richly rewarding. Varied and multiple health concerns must be considered in the treatment plan when providing care to elderly patients.

Geriatric psychiatrists work in close conjunction with patients and their family members and caregivers.

Salary Outlook

$185,554 25^th Percentile

$207,067 50^th Percentile

$231,626 75^th Percentile

$89.21 Hourly

$99.55 Hourly

$111.36 Hourly

Estimated Annual Salary	Average Hourly Wage	Positions Nationwide
$182,700.00	$87.84	25,080

Resources

American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP)

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (AMPN)

Title	Company	Location	Posted
Geriatric Psychiatrist - Central Regional Hospital	NC Department of Health and Human Services	Granville County, NC	10.16.2019
This position is designated Mandatory and must report or stay over during adverse weather events." Central Regional Hospital Where Caring is Contagious! We are currently recruiting for a Psychiatrist on the Geriatric Services Unit (GSU)...
Physician - Geriatric Psychiatry	Community Health Network	Indianapolis, IN	10.16.2019
This physician will join Community Physician Network, a multi-specialty group with over 1,000 providers in Indianapolis, IN. With an appealing blend of big-city amenities, cosmopolitan style, and communities which boast top notch school systems,...
Psychiatrist	Children's Specialized Hospital	Mountainside, NJ	03.04.2019
Childrens Specialized Hospital is the nations leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and...
PHYSICIAN - PSYCHIATRIST	SEARHC	Juneau, AK	10.16.2019
The position functions within the Mental Health Outpatient Department to provide clinical psychiatric care for SEARHC patients, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Treatment is primarily outpatient, but may include...
Psychiatrist	Cuyuna Regional Medical Center	Crosby, MN	08.28.2018
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center is seeking a patient and understanding Psychiatrist with a strong desire to help people and improve their daily lives. They will evaluate, monitor, and diagnoses patients to determine treatment and recovery plans....
Psychiatrist-Adult	Southwestern Medical Center	Lawton, OK	07.01.2019
Board Eligible or Board Certified Psychiatrist. All necessary
Psychiatrist	Children's Specialized Hospital	Hamilton, NJ	09.26.2019
Job Summary Provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment to child and adolescent outpatients and consultation to patients in acute rehab or long term care as needed. Essential Job Functions Demonstrates competence in conducting psychiatric...
SBBH - PSYCHIATRIST	St. Bernards Healthcare	Jonesboro, AR	10.16.2019
Psychiatrist licensed as such in the State of Arkansas. Experience Meets requirements for Medical Staff privileges at St. Bernards Medical Center. Physical Normal office environment. Close eye work. Hearing of normal and soft tones. Required...
Psychiatrist- Norway	MaineHealth	Norway, ME	10.14.2019
PSYCHIATRIST Maine Behavioral Healthcare is currently seeking a BE/BC FT Psychiatrist for direct patient care services in scenic Norway, Maine. Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) provides an array of services in their outpatient practices for...
Psychiatrist	University of Virginia Health System	Charlottesville, VA	10.14.2019
The University of Virginia Department of Student Health is seeking to hire a psychiatrist. This position is a 24-hour a week salaried position with partial benefits to work during the academic year (nine months - ongoing). The individual will be...
Psychiatrist-Broughton Hospital	NC Department of Health and Human Services	Burke County, NC	10.16.2019
Psychiatrist Recruitment Range: $230,000.00 - $281,799.00 Broughton Hospital is currently recruiting permanent full-time Psychiatrists for multiple positions. Our 24 hour in-patient facility serves adolescent, adult, deaf, and geriatric...
Regional Medical Director-Psychiatrist	MaineHealth	Biddeford, ME	10.14.2019
Psychiatrist Regional Medical Director Maine Behavioral Healthcare is currently seeking a BE/BC FT Psychiatrist for a leadership position in Outpatient Adult Services. As an integral part of a growing integrated healthcare system, the attending...
Adult Psychiatrist	MaineGeneral Health	Augusta, ME	10.16.2019
MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta/Waterville, Maine is seeking a BC/BE adult psychiatrist with interest in substance abuse. You will be joining a staff of 4 employed physicians and 7 PMHNP who provide multidisciplinary inpatient, outpatient...
Psychiatrist Opportunities	Cambridge Health Alliance	Cambridge, MA	10.16.2019
Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), a well-respected, nationally recognized and award-winning public healthcare system is seeking full-time and part-time Psychiatrists. Our system is comprised of three campuses and an integrated network of both...
Psychiatrist-Psych Damariscotta	MaineHealth	Damariscotta, ME	10.14.2019
ADULT PSYCHIATRIST Maine Behavior Healthcare is seeking a FT BC/BE Psychiatrist for their outpatient psychiatry practice located in Damariscotta, Maine. Maine Behavioral Healthcare provides outpatient mental health services to the Damariscotta...

Geriatric Psychiatrist - Central Regional Hospital Raleigh, NC NC Department of Health and Human Services
This position is designated Mandatory and must report or stay over during adverse weather events." Central Regional Hospital Where Caring is Contagious! We are currently recruiting for a Psychiatrist on the Geriatric Services Unit (GSU)...
Physician - Geriatric Psychiatry Indianapolis, IN Community Health Network
This physician will join Community Physician Network, a multi-specialty group with over 1,000 providers in Indianapolis, IN. With an appealing blend of big-city amenities, cosmopolitan style, and communities which boast top notch school systems,...
Psychiatrist Mountainside, NJ Children's Specialized Hospital
Childrens Specialized Hospital is the nations leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and...
PHYSICIAN - PSYCHIATRIST Juneau, AK SEARHC
The position functions within the Mental Health Outpatient Department to provide clinical psychiatric care for SEARHC patients, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Treatment is primarily outpatient, but may include...
Psychiatrist Crosby, MN Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center is seeking a patient and understanding Psychiatrist with a strong desire to help people and improve their daily lives. They will evaluate, monitor, and diagnoses patients to determine treatment and recovery plans....
Psychiatrist-Adult Lawton, OK Southwestern Medical Center
Board Eligible or Board Certified Psychiatrist. All necessary
Psychiatrist Mountainside, NJ Children's Specialized Hospital
Job Summary Provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment to child and adolescent outpatients and consultation to patients in acute rehab or long term care as needed. Essential Job Functions Demonstrates competence in conducting psychiatric...
SBBH - PSYCHIATRIST Jonesboro, AR St. Bernards Healthcare
Psychiatrist licensed as such in the State of Arkansas. Experience Meets requirements for Medical Staff privileges at St. Bernards Medical Center. Physical Normal office environment. Close eye work. Hearing of normal and soft tones. Required...
Psychiatrist- Norway Portland, ME MaineHealth
PSYCHIATRIST Maine Behavioral Healthcare is currently seeking a BE/BC FT Psychiatrist for direct patient care services in scenic Norway, Maine. Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) provides an array of services in their outpatient practices for...
Psychiatrist Charlottesville, Vi University of Virginia Health System
The University of Virginia Department of Student Health is seeking to hire a psychiatrist. This position is a 24-hour a week salaried position with partial benefits to work during the academic year (nine months - ongoing). The individual will be...
Psychiatrist-Broughton Hospital Raleigh, NC NC Department of Health and Human Services
Psychiatrist Recruitment Range: $230,000.00 - $281,799.00 Broughton Hospital is currently recruiting permanent full-time Psychiatrists for multiple positions. Our 24 hour in-patient facility serves adolescent, adult, deaf, and geriatric...
Regional Medical Director-Psychiatrist Portland, ME MaineHealth
Psychiatrist Regional Medical Director Maine Behavioral Healthcare is currently seeking a BE/BC FT Psychiatrist for a leadership position in Outpatient Adult Services. As an integral part of a growing integrated healthcare system, the attending...
Adult Psychiatrist Augusta, ME MaineGeneral Health
MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta/Waterville, Maine is seeking a BC/BE adult psychiatrist with interest in substance abuse. You will be joining a staff of 4 employed physicians and 7 PMHNP who provide multidisciplinary inpatient, outpatient...
Psychiatrist Opportunities Cambridge, MA Cambridge Health Alliance
Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), a well-respected, nationally recognized and award-winning public healthcare system is seeking full-time and part-time Psychiatrists. Our system is comprised of three campuses and an integrated network of both...
Psychiatrist-Psych Damariscotta Portland, ME MaineHealth
ADULT PSYCHIATRIST Maine Behavior Healthcare is seeking a FT BC/BE Psychiatrist for their outpatient psychiatry practice located in Damariscotta, Maine. Maine Behavioral Healthcare provides outpatient mental health services to the Damariscotta...