Psychiatrist

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Adolescent Psychiatrist; Adult Psychiatrist; Attending Psychiatrist; Board Certified Psychiatrist; Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist; Child Psychiatrist; Consulting Psychiatrist; Forensic Psychiatrist; Medical Doctor (MD); Physician

Tasks

• Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
• Gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.
• Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.
• Counsel outpatients or other patients during office visits.
• Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.
• Examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests on patients to provide information on general physical condition or mental disorder.
• Design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.
• Advise or inform guardians, relatives, or significant others of patients' conditions or treatment.
• Teach, take continuing education classes, attend conferences or seminars, or conduct research and publish findings to increase understanding of mental, emotional, or behavioral states or disorders.
• Review and evaluate treatment procedures and outcomes of other psychiatrists or medical professionals.
• Prepare and submit case reports or summaries to government or mental health agencies.
• Serve on committees to promote or maintain community mental health services or delivery systems.

Knowledge

• Medicine and Dentistry
• Therapy and Counseling
• Psychology
• Biology
• English Language
• Customer and Personal Service
• Education and Training
• Chemistry
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Law and Government
• Computers and Electronics
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies
• Science

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Near Vision
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Flexibility of Closure
• Selective Attention