Psychiatrist

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer, the Psychiatrist provides high-quality, trauma-informed psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and consultation services to patients of APLA Health & Wellness. This role functions as an equal clinical partner within APLA Health’s integrated care model, collaborating closely with Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services to support whole-person care.

The Psychiatrist serves a patient population with high clinical complexity, including low-income adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, people living with HIV/AIDS, and individuals impacted by trauma, stigma, housing instability, and systemic inequities. Many patients present with intersecting medical, psychiatric, and substance use needs, requiring coordinated, non-siloed care across disciplines.

This role works in active partnership with APLA Health’s Primary Care teams, Behavioral Health clinicians, and SUD Team to support shared treatment planning, diagnostic clarity, medication optimization, and continuity of care. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, equity-minded psychiatrist who values shared clinical responsibility, interdisciplinary dialogue, and evidence-based care delivered with cultural humility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, including diagnostic assessment, risk assessment, and formulation, within the context of patients’ medical, behavioral health, and substance use histories.
• Provide evidence-based psychiatric medication management, with careful consideration of medical comorbidities, substance use patterns, polypharmacy, and patient-centered goals.
• Collaborate as an equal member of interdisciplinary care teams, working alongside Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and SUD providers to develop and implement coordinated treatment plans.
• Provide and receive consultation across disciplines, including psychiatric input for Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and SUD teams, and incorporation of cross-disciplinary perspectives into psychiatric care.
• Apply trauma-informed, harm-reduction aligned, and culturally responsive approaches to psychiatric treatment, recognizing the interconnected nature of mental health, substance use, and physical health.
• Support patients engaged in a range of substance use treatment approaches, including abstinence-based, harm-reduction, and recovery-oriented models, in alignment with interdisciplinary care plans.
• Assess and respond to psychiatric crises, including suicidality, severe mood or psychotic symptoms, and complex presentations involving substance use, in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences and care coordination meetings involving Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and SUD Services.
• Contribute psychiatric expertise to the ongoing development of integrated clinical workflows, protocols, and best practices that support seamless, whole-person care.
• Ability to see and manage 10-15 patients daily.
• Document all clinical services in eClinicalWorks (or other designated EHR systems) in a timely, accurate, and compliant manner, consistent with professional standards and organizational policies.
• Participate in quality improvement activities, staff education, and training initiatives that strengthen integrated psychiatric, behavioral health, and SUD care delivery.

OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED TO MEET BUSINESS NEEDS.                                                                                                              

REQUIREMENTS:

Training and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, biology, chemistry or related field required. Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited medical school required. Completion of an accredited psychiatry residency program.

Current, unrestricted California medical license in good standing.

Board eligible or board certified in Psychiatry. Eligibility for credentialing with Medi-Cal, Medicare, and other third-party payers. Experience working in integrated care, community mental health, or safety-net settings strongly preferred.

Knowledge of:

Psychiatric assessment and diagnosis using DSM-5-TR across complex and overlapping clinical presentations. Psychopharmacology in the context of medical comorbidity and substance use. Integrated care and collaborative consultation models. Trauma-informed, harm-reduction–aligned, and recovery-oriented frameworks. LGBTQ+ mental health and HIV-related psychiatric considerations. Legal, ethical, and regulatory standards of psychiatric practice.

Ability to:

Deliver patient-centered psychiatric care within a shared, interdisciplinary model.

Collaborate effectively and respectfully across Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and SUD teams. Navigate clinical complexity without reverting to siloed or punitive approaches.

Communicate clearly with patients and multidisciplinary colleagues.Complete documentation accurately and efficiently in an electronic health record.Contribute positively to a mission-driven, equity-focused organizational culture.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This is primarily an office position that requires only occasional bending, reaching, stooping, lifting and moving of office materials weighing 25 pounds or less. The position requires daily use of a personal computer and requires entering, viewing, and revising text and graphics on the computer terminal and on paper.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a valid California driver’s license; proof of auto liability insurance; and have the use of a personal vehicle for work related purposes. COVID vaccination required or medical/religious exemption.

Equal Opportunity Employer.