MENTAL HEALTH PHYSICIAN A 42244

3/16/77 B

Provides general medical and/or psychiatric services to patients, residents, or clients of a State operated mental hospital, training center, or community mental health and mental retardation clinic. Diagnoses and treats typical cases independently on the basis of a knowledge of problems associated with his particular area of specialty or competency. Contributes to staff conferences on new and unusual cases by relating experiences giving technical opinions and suggesting both general and specific modes of treatment and/or therapy. Supervision is received from a higher level physician or administrator (if duties are administrative) who assigns clients, observes the condition of clients, and gives advice on the treatment of specific complicated cases and the treatment programs generally.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

1. Performs physical and/or mental examinations, obtains medical histories, orders X-rays, laboratory tests and psychological tests as required

2. Observe clients, diagnose mental and physical condition and prescribes medication, treatment and/or therapy.

3. Writes progress notes and reports on clients and communicates with client's relatives, explaining the nature and extent of the illness.

4. Consults with professional and paraprofessional staff concerning prescribed treatment and therapy and areas requiring improvement in the medical program and participates in staff conferences by presenting case histories and making suggestions as to the classification and the assignment of clients.

5. Recommends changes in therapy and the advisability of transfer for the release of clients.

6. May perform minor surgery or may assist in major surgery and/or prescribes and directs various therapy activities.

7. May immunize, vaccinate clients against communicable disease and uses various medical tests, techniques, and laboratory equipment in the diagnosis and treatment activities.

8. Prepares periodic progress reports on clients and prepares case histories when clients are transferred or released.

9. Assists in establishing and participates in clinics and reviews medical evidence to determine eligibility for treatment benefits, etc.

10. Assigns duties, offers advice and assistance, and reviews work of subordinates and performs other related duties as assigned.

 

Graduation from a recognized medical college and a license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia or eligibility therefore, plus one year experience.

Considerable know1edge of the causes and methods of diagnosis and treatment of mental and physical disorders. Considerable knowledge of the theory and principles and modern practices of general medicine. Ability to diagnose and prescribe treatment for clients or a mental hospital, training center, or clinic.