SENIOR PHYSICIAN - PSYCHIATRIST - 60009465

Requisition No: 861633 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: SENIOR PHYSICIAN - PSYCHIATRIST - 60009465

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 60009465 

Salary:  $8,141.48 Bi-Weekly 

Posting Closing Date: 09/30/2025 

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The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

Northeast Florida State Hospital (NEFSH) is a 613-bed, licensed mental health treatment facility that provides person-centered services to adults suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. The hospital, located in Macclenny, was established in 1959 and is the largest state operated civil treatment facility. 

NORTHEAST FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the Senior Physician - Psychiatrist within the Clinical Division. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

• This is a professional position in a large mental health facility that functions as an Senior Physician - Psychiatrist. The incumbent is expected to always maintain a positive and professional attitude and manner, ensuring individuals receive comprehensive medical and mental health services in a cost effective, customer-oriented manner. Follows medical ethics and standards in an outcome-oriented management system while maintaining sensitivity to the constitutional rights of patients.
• Conducts daily ward rounds on assigned wards. 
• Orders psychiatric intervention as required. 
• Evaluates patient progress and makes clinical recommendations including psychotropic medication reviews to improve patient functioning.
• Participates in scheduled meetings as a member of the multidisciplinary therapeutic team involved in the treatment of patients. 
• In addition, participates and implements treatment interventions assigned on the treatment/service plan. 
• Documents in the medical record in legible handwriting.
• Participates in patient admission procedures by completing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and documenting admission notes, admission orders and a preliminary treatment plan. 
• Obtains patients’/guardians’ consent for psychotropic treatment. 
• Performs annual psychiatric summaries on assigned patients, completes and signs incident reports, initiates voluntary/involuntary placement proceedings and testifies in scheduled hearings when necessary.
• Reviews evaluation reports and intervention/outcome documentation for adherence to NEFSH protocols and time frames. 
• Manages psychotropic medications in accordance with provisions of NEFSH Operating Policy and Procedure 14-06-01, “Management of Psychotropic Medication”, to assure compliance with DCF Operating Procedure 95-6, Use of Psychotropic Medications In State Mental Health and Developmental Service Facilities.
• When applicable, seeks consultation from colleagues either from within the hospital or from approved outside consultants to ensure treatment excellence.
• Discusses patient status with guardian or relatives and assists them to better understand the patient’s illness and treatment to enhance satisfaction and understanding of treatment provided. 
• Prepares discharge summary in accordance to NEFSH protocols.
• Accepts clinical assignments based on hospital need as directed by Medical Executive Director.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

• This position requires certification in CPR, First Aid, MANDT, Infection Control, Customer Service, and OSHA requirements. Intervention with combative individuals may be required. Some driving may be required. In addition, the following is required:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of program management and delivery of mental health services.
• Knowledge of mental health, psychiatric principles, practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
• Ability to perform complete psychiatric and mental health assessments of patients.
• Ability to manage mental health disorders and care of patients.
• Ability to identify and evaluate illnesses and/or disorders.
• Ability to compile and evaluate mental health assessments, medical histories and other clinical and laboratory data.
• Ability to initiate diagnostic laboratory tests and evaluate the results.
• Ability to prescribe/alter and administer appropriate medications for specific illnesses.
• Ability to work with patients having a variety of mental psychiatric disorders and physical problems.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to apply the consultative processes in problem-solving activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to develop and implement various program monitoring methodologies and techniques.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensure as a physician pursuant to Chapter 458, Florida Statutes, and two years of post-licensure professional experience in the practice of medicine;

• A current public psychiatry certificate issued by the Florida Board of Medical Examiners pursuant to Section 458.3165, Florida Statutes.
• Certification by a recognized board in a medical specialty area can substitute for the required experience.

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. 
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history.
• If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.
• For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).  Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.  For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

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The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.