Full Job Description
Job Overview
We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Psychiatric Physician Assistant (PA-C) to join our growing mental health team, primarily serving skilled nursing and long-term care facilities throughout San Diego County. This role is ideal for a clinician who enjoys working independently in the field while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality psychiatric care to an older adult population.
The position focuses on delivering comprehensive mental health services—including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and ongoing follow-up care—to residents in post-acute and long-term care settings. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in an underserved population while working in a flexible, team-oriented environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, including psychiatric history and mental status examinations.
- Diagnose and manage a range of psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, dementia-related behaviors, and other mental health disorders.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans in collaboration with supervising psychiatrists and interdisciplinary care teams.
- Prescribe, monitor, and adjust psychotropic medications, evaluating effectiveness and potential side effects.
- Provide ongoing follow-up care and reassessments for residents in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities.
- Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, social workers, and facility personnel to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care.
- Respond to urgent behavioral health concerns and provide appropriate interventions when needed.
- Educate patients, caregivers, and facility staff on mental health conditions, medication adherence, and behavioral management strategies.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in EMR systems.
- Participate in care coordination, discharge planning, and transitions between levels of care.
- Utilize telehealth services when appropriate to enhance access to care.
Qualifications
- Education: Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program.
- Certification: Current PA-C certification.
- Licensure: Active and unrestricted California Physician Assistant license.
- Experience: Prior experience in psychiatry, geriatrics, skilled nursing, or long-term care preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills in psychiatry.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially with geriatric populations.
- Ability to work independently across multiple facility locations while maintaining strong team collaboration.
- Knowledge of behavioral health regulations and best practices in long-term care settings.
- Proficiency with EMR systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner, or similar platforms).
- Strong organizational and time-management skills to manage a mobile, multi-site schedule.
Additional Requirements
- Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation (travel required throughout San Diego County).
- BLS certification (ACLS preferred but not required).
Why Join Us?
Join a mission-driven team dedicated to improving access to high-quality psychiatric care for residents in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. This role offers autonomy, flexibility, and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with patients while making a lasting impact in their lives.
Pay: From $85.00 per hour
Work Location: In person