A Psychiatrist, or Psychiatric Doctor, is a mental health professional responsible for diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders, usually through medication. Their duties include studying mood, personality and behavioral disorders, discussing symptoms with patients to determine a diagnosis and prescribing medication to correct chemical imbalances in the patient’s brain.
A Psychiatrist should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Psychiatrist should be able to execute:
- Use a variety of methods to evaluate a patient, such as interviewing the patient, their family or other persons.
- Develop a treatment plan according to the needs of the patient’s needs and extent of emotional, social, cognitive, developmental or behavioral disorder.
- Treat a patient using psychotherapeutic methods and medication, monitoring the effects of any medication and adjusting treatment where necessary.
- Consult with the patient’s Primary Care Physician, Nurses or other health care providers.
- Provide crisis intervention when needed.
- Write and maintain patient and clinical records, including the type of treatment and medication administered.
A competitive Psychiatrist will have certain skills and qualifications, including:
- Sensitivity and perceptiveness
- Deductive and inductive reasoning skills
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Listening skills
- Ability to remain calm under stress
- Empathy and compassion
