Duties and Responsibilities
Psychiatrists undergo extensive training in the medical, social and psychological
components of emotional, mental and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrist duties are
to order diagnostic tests, give out medication prescription, conduct psychotherapy
and help patients and their families cope with stress and crises. Often confused
with psychologists, psychiatrists are physicians with a Medical Degree. One difference
is that are allowed by law to prescribe drugs, and psychologist are not limiting
their treatments to psychotherapy. Psychologists do not practice surgery for treatment.
A psychiatrist is an individual who possesses all around medical and psychological
competency who has Psychiatrist skills needed to target illnesses with a more versatile
medical program.
Work Environment
Psychiatrist opportunities are usually found in hospitals dealing with families
of patients and helping patients recover or undergoing treatment. Medical tests
are also conducted for patients who are believed to experiencing mental disorders.
Private practice is also conducted in clinics.
Employment Opportunities
There are numerous Psychiatrist opportunities for people who want to pursue this
career. Jobs in hospitals or mental hospitals continue to grow. Drug addiction and
alcohol dependency continue to plague society, creating more need for Psychiatrists.
Trauma and stress related to surgery and the onset of disease requires medical personnel
to target this medical problems. Employment in schools and universities as psychology
instructors are also very profitable and are great areas to find Psychiatrist opportunities.
How much does a Psychiatrist make - Psychiatrist Salary and Wages
Psychiatrist salary ranges may vary with respect to their number of years in experience.
For those with one year experience or less their income starts at $120,000 per annum.
Those in the one year to four years experience have $130,000 and $160,000 income
is average for five to nine year veterans. The normal Psychiatrist salary range
for one who is at the ten year to nineteen year practitioner level is at $160,000
and finally for those who have twenty or more years experience is at the $170,000
level.
Psychiatrist salary ranges may also vary with respect to your cities location. Those
located in upscale cities like New York or California have higher salaries compared
to psychiatrist located in towns or small cities. Where a psychiatrist practices
also affects his salary, those practicing privately have lower numbers compared
to those located in hospitals or universities.
How to become a Psychiatrist
Educational and Training
A four year pre-med degree is required in the field of science. This in turn would
be the pre requisite for a degree in the Doctor of Medicine. Only physicians who
have been certified with a Psychiatrist degree are allowed to practice as psychiatric
residents for four years. This facilitates training for diagnosis, pharmacology
and psychotherapy. Proficiency in cognitive, behavioral, brief, psychodynamic and
supportive psychotherapy is required in the United States. Four post-graduate months
of internal medicine and pediatrics with two months of neurology is taken during
their first year. Written and oral board examinations are then taken for certification.
An eight year post-baccalaureate study is normal for United States psychiatrists.
Common Psychiatrist courses are focused on the sciences, including biology, physics,
and chemistry.
There are many fields of specialization in Psychiatry. It is usually achieved through
continuing education and through years of practice in the specific field. One example
is in the field of pediatric psychiatry. Special Psychiatrist courses on child psychology
and child department and residency in the pediatric department qualify a person
as a pediatric psychiatrist.
You can find information concerning online Psychiatrist degrees and jump start your
Psychiatrist career by checking out the online colleges and degrees below.
Psychiatrist Resources
APA - American Psychiatric Association