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JOB DUTIES   

Psychiatrists may:

Organize the data concerning various aspects of a patient's history  

Examine patients to determine their general physical condition, following standard medical procedures  

Order laboratory and other diagnostic tests and evaluate the data obtained  

Determine the nature and extent of mental disorders and formulate treatment programs  

Treat or direct the treatment of patients using a variety of psychotherapeutic methods and medications  

Originate, update, and finalize patient medical records  

Prepare and submit case and work progress reports  

Prepare reports for mental health agencies  

Review the effect and performance of treatment conducted by other professional, technical, and non-technical personnel  

Advise relatives or other appropriately concerned parties on the condition of patients  

Duties may include writing books and articles for journals, teaching, and conducting research  

To view a Psychiatrist at work click here .

The tools, equipment, and materials that may be used:

Psychiatrists may use computers (with Internet access), audio-visual equipment, teaching and research equipment..   Psychiatrists may also use other equipment used by physicians, such as stethoscopes, digital blood pressure units and laptops with various accounting and graphic software.

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OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Psychiatrists may specialize in these areas:

070.107-014  PSYCHIATRISTS are physicians who deal specifically with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They may specialize in such areas as child, adolescent, or geriatric psychiatry; psychoanalysis; behavior therapy; psychopharmacology; psychosomatic medicine; and group, family, or preventive psychiatry. 

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration scripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Psychiatrists might work alone or as part of a team with other personnel, such as psychologists, psychiatric social workers, nurses, and aides; occupational therapists; recreational and rehabilitation specialists; and other physicians.  

Psychiatrists may work in college classrooms, laboratories, hospitals, correctional institutions, clinics, private offices, and factories, or a combination of these settings. Surroundings are generally comfortable and well equipped. Psychiatrists usually have individual offices. Those in private practice may spend large sums of money to open and equip offices.  

Working hours and schedules vary depending on the Psychiatrist's specialization. Psychiatrists in private practice arrange their schedules as appointments require. Those who teach or work for governmental or community agencies usually work 35 to 40 hours per week. Psychiatrists working in hospitals might be on off-duty call and, like other physicians, might work long hours and receive emergency calls. Psychiatrists might spend additional hours doing research, keeping current in the field, and traveling to conferences and seminars.  

Many belong to professional associations such as the American Psychiatric Association. Association members pay periodic dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities which are presumed to help people

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation from others

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason logically

• Understand the meanings and relationships of words and ideas

• Communicate effectively in speech and writing

• Direct, control and plan an entire activity/activities of others

• Use arithmetic quickly and accurately

• Visualize how flat drawings or pictures would look as solid objects

• See detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

• Make evaluations/decisions based on personal judgment, under stress

• Deal with people in a tactful and considerate manner

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you charge $60 an hour for psychiatric evaluations, in an 8 hour day, what is your total possible gross pay?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Stress is the body's response to external conditions-or stressors-that upset our equilibrium.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the reasons for a patient's mental health problems.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to explain what is causing different mental problems for your patients.  

To practice as a Psychiatrist in Michigan, you must first be licensed as a Doctor of Medicine by the Board of Medicine, Michigan Department of Community Health. You must then become certified as a diplomate in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology . Certification includes a residency requirement; practice in a hospital or private consultation; and completion of oral and written exams. With additional training, Psychiatrists may specialize in such fields as child psychiatry or psychoanalysis.  The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation. Click  here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Psychiatrist for specific licensing information.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: A Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration script:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0700  CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***  

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration script.  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

102   MEDICINE

Programs in Medicine provide opportunities to gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by Physicians to meet the changing health care needs of society. Medical Programs are designed to fully utilize the scientific disciplines so that the future practice of students will be as scientifically based as possible.  

Programs in medical school include clinical and laboratory work, observation, and hospital clerkships. A sampling of courses may include:  

The most common requirements for entering schools of Medicine are completion of a pre-medical program or its equivalent with an acceptable grade point average, preliminary application through the centralized services of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), and passing the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) with an acceptable, competitive score. A personal interview and additional testing may be required.  

103   MEDICINE ( PRE -PROFESSIONAL)

Pre-Medicine Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to medical schools. Medical schools expect a thorough understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Many pre-medicine students elect a major in biology or chemistry, although this is not required.  

Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to medical schools. Students should contact the medical schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites are met.  

Courses vary between schools and major concentrations but may include:

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***  

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration script.  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check the Military website at http://www.todaysmilitary.com . 

PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS  

Military physicians and surgeons represent all of the major fields of medical specialization. Physicians and surgeons are the chief providers of medical services to military personnel and their dependents. They examine patients, diagnose their injuries or illnesses, and provide medical treatment.

  What They Do  

Physicians and surgeons in the military perform some or all of the following duties:  

• Examine patients to detect abnormalities in pulse, breathing, or other body functions

• Determine presence and extent of illness or injury by reviewing medical histories, X-rays, laboratory reports, and examination reports

• Develop treatment plans that may include medication, therapy or surgery

• Perform surgery to treat injuries or illnesses

• Advise patients on their health problems and personal habits

• Coordinate the activities of nurses, physician assistants, medical specialists, therapists, and other medical personnel

• Conduct medical research

Special Requirements  

A doctor of medicine or osteopathy degree and advanced training in a medical specialty are required to enter this occupation.  

Helpful Attributes  

Helpful attributes include:  

• Desire to help others

• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely

Work Environment  

Physicians and surgeons work in hospitals and clinics on land and aboard ships.  

Training Provided  

No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation. However, advanced courses and programs in medical specialties are available. In addition, scholarships for advanced medical training are available in return for an obligated period of military service.  

Civilian Counterparts  

Civilian physicians work for hospitals or clinics or in private practice. They perform the same duties and work in the same areas of specialization as military physicians.  

Opportunities  

The services have many physicians and surgeons, including general practitioners and specialists. However, they need new physicians and surgeons each year. The services give several hundred scholarships yearly to attend civilian medical schools or the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, return for an obligated period of military service after graduation. The services normally hire physicians who have completed medical school and their internships. However, some services have programs to grant early officer commissions to civilians who are in medical school, internship, or residency status in return for an obligated period of service. Positions for physicians and surgeons in the Coast Guard are filled by U.S. Public Health Service Officers. After gaining experience in the military, physicians and surgeons may advance to senior management or command positions in the services' medical corps.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Few opportunities to explore careers in psychiatry are available. It might be possible to arrange an appointment with a local Psychiatrist to discuss working conditions and job responsibilities. Branches of military service might have opportunities for individuals who are already qualified. Postsecondary programs may offer some opportunities for experience as well.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Psychiatrist employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Psychiatrist employer  

community service work with an agency  

Methods include applying directly to such employers as hospitals and clinics of governmental agencies, opening a private practice, or joining a partnership or group practice. Assistance may be found through medical school; placement offices; or professional journals, such as some published by the American Psychiatric Association, which include job openings. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Health Care Source

Healthvault.com

Med Search America

Medical Ad Mart

simplyhired.com

Indeed | one search. all jobs.

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank

Yahoo!hotjobs

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings may depend on a Psychiatrist's personality, professional reputation, experience, training, whether salaried or self-employed, geographic region, and area of specialization. Psychiatrists in private practice usually earn more than those in salaried positions.  

Nationally, the annual median net income (late 2008) of office-based Psychiatrists was about $187,500 (income after expenses). The annual salaries (early 2009) of Psychiatrists employed by hospitals and related facilities, averaged $172,000, with most earnings between $166,500 and $202,000.

Psychiatrists employed by the State of Michigan earned the following annual salaries (mid 2009):  

Psychiatrists may also earn additional income by serving as consultants to courts, schools, government agencies, the military, industrial firms, and social service agencies; by doing research and by writing books and articles.  

Most Psychiatrists receive paid vacations and holidays; retirement plans; hospitalization and life insurance; educational leaves; and paid sick leave. Psychiatrists who are self employed pay for these benefits themselves.  

Advancement opportunities for Psychiatrists depend on the field of specialization, experience, ability, and professional reputation. A career ladder may be: physician; psychiatric resident; Psychiatrist. Advancement in private practice might mean increased professional recognition and income. In academic positions, promotion in rank constitutes advancement.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

According to the  Medical Marketing Services , there were about 49,300 Psychiatrists in the United States in 2009.This marketing service compiles information from state licensing boards in the United States.  A shortage of Psychiatrists exists in rural areas, in private clinical facilities, mental hospitals, and particularly in state institutions. The demand is greater in preventive psychiatry, drug therapy, and research. Opportunities will be best for workers trained in neurology, biochemistry, hypnosis, behavior modification, and psychopharmacology.  

The demand for psychiatric services should increase as more employers include psychiatric treatment under their insurance plans.  

There were approximately 1,375 certified Psychiatrists employed in Michigan in 2009. They worked primarily in office-based private practice and/or hospital-based practice as staff Psychiatrists or residents in training programs. Others worked in the health services industry, colleges and universities, private companies, and government agencies.  

Employment for Psychiatrists in Michigan is expected to increase. Job prospects will be extremely favorable for those who specialize in child, geriatric, and community psychiatry. The growth in the number of older persons - many of whom experience severe depression or are unable to recognize friends and relatives - is likely to increase the demand for psychiatric services.  

Furthermore, growing numbers of employers are implementing drug/alcohol screening programs to randomly test workers. As a result, a greater number of substance-abusing workers will be referred to substance abuse treatment facilities (which usually provide psychiatric services as part of the rehabilitation).  

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.  

 Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth