Description

Claratel Behavioral Health (formerly known as DeKalb Community Service Board) is an innovative, community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities services organization located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, offering a full range of mental health services, developmental disabilities programs and substance abuse treatment to more than 11,000 citizens annually who are uninsured and underinsured. As a public, not-for-profit organization, the Claratel BH operates more than 20 locations in DeKalb County with a diverse workforce of more than 500 direct-care and support staff. Our staff of physicians, nurses, clinicians and support personnel is dedicated to helping our clients and their families recover from these debilitating disabilities and resume productive lives. We strive to provide the highest quality, evidence-based services in the least restrictive settings, and we envision a community in which disabilities no longer limit potential. Claratel BH is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Read more on our recent CARF accreditation here.

The DeKalb Regional Crisis Center provides crisis intervention and stabilization services for adults. The Center offers three levels of care starting with the Crisis Services Center unit that receives walk-ins, transfers from emergency rooms, and involuntary referrals for evaluation.

If further observation is needed, individuals are monitored in the Temporary Observation Unit for 12-24 hours.

Individuals needing a longer period of stabilization or substance withdrawal management (usually 5-7 days) are admitted to the Crisis Stabilization Unit where ongoing care includes crisis counseling, medication, and assistance with discharge planning.

Position Summary

The Lead Psychiatrist provides clinical and psychiatric leadership for the DeKalb Regional Crisis Center (DRCC), ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based, and person-centered psychiatric and medical care to individuals in acute behavioral health crisis. This role includes direct care responsibilities, oversight of medical operations, and clinical & administrative supervision of medical staff, including Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and/or physician assistants (PAs). The Lead Psychiatrist will also acts as delegating or designated physician for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and/or physician assistants (PAs).

This position ensures adherence to best practices in medication management, documentation, safety, and compliance, while collaborating with leadership and external partners to enhance program performance and community relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Direct Care

Provides psychiatric and medical supervision for the Crisis Center, including Crisis Stabilization, Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES), and Withdrawal Management.
Maintains an active caseload of approximately 6 clients on the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU).
Delivers direct psychiatric care to adults (18+), including comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, crisis intervention, therapy, medication management, withdrawal management, and general medical care on the unit.
Acts as the delegating or designated physician of record for APRNs, offering clinical supervision, consultation, and support for independent practice as permitted.
Provides mentorship and clinical teaching to medical students and psychiatry residents rotating through the center.
Oversight of Medical Operations

Provides medical supervision of other psychiatrists, PAs, and APRNs across PES and CSU units.
Oversees and ensures implementation of safe, evidence-based protocols related to medication administration, clinical documentation, withdrawal management, and other critical workflows.
Develops the daily and on-call schedule for psychiatrists, PA and APRN staff assuring all medical coverage needs are being met.
In consultation with the Crisis Services and Agency Medical Directors, determines medical coverage needs for PES and CSU.
Provides consultation and assists in the development, implementation, and monitoring of behavioral health medical policies and procedures.
Provides clinical expertise and guidance on medical/psychiatric treatment across all programs and levels of care.
Performs clinical quality care reviews of medical staff and uses findings to improve performance and outcomes.
Reviews referrals to the Crisis Center to ensure medical appropriateness and safe admission decisions.
Supervision and Staff Development

Provides clinical and administrative oversight to APRNs and/or PAs, promoting professional development and consistent, high-quality service delivery.
Offers ongoing training, supervision, and support for medical staff, with a focus on quality care, trauma-informed practice, and safety.
Creates training opportunities to ensure staff adhere to best practices and maintain clinical excellence.
Acts as liaison between medical staff and executive leadership to ensure alignment with agency goals.
Participates in recruiting for needed PES and CSU medical/APRN or PA positions by interviewing applicants and making appropriate selection recommendations.
Actively supports retention efforts of psychiatrists, PAs, and APRNs across PES and CSU units.
In consultation with the Crisis Services Director and HR, appropriately reviews, recommends, and/or initiates personnel actions according to applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines, carefully considering options available.
Program Development & Quality Improvement

Collaborates with the Director of Crisis Services and the Agency’s Medical Director to optimize medical and psychiatric care across crisis programs.
Supports program development and continuous quality improvement efforts, using data to identify trends, monitor key metrics, and implement strategic changes.
Leads or participates in initiatives aimed at improving service access, care integration, patient safety, and documentation quality.
Coordinates audits, incident reviews, and clinical case reviews to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and agency policies.
Collaboration and External Relations

Strengthens and maintains professional relationships with community partners, including local hospitals, primary care providers, behavioral health clinics, and academic institutions.
Represents DRCC in community forums or collaborative planning sessions related to behavioral health service delivery.
Promotes the Crisis Center as a teaching site and builds affiliations with medical schools and residency programs.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
Active and unrestricted license to practice in the State of Georgia.
Board certification in Psychiatry.
Active DEA license with ability to prescribe controlled substances.
At least 3 years of post-graduate psychiatric experience, and experience in a supervisory or leadership role.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in crisis care, inpatient psychiatry, or community behavioral health programs.
Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) and healthcare quality standards (e.g., CARF, DBHDD, Carelon).
Experience providing clinical supervision to APRNs or PAs or interdisciplinary teams.
Experience with performance improvement, clinical audits, or accreditation processes.

Key Competencies

Strong clinical decision-making and psychiatric diagnostic skills.
Ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary medical teams.
Knowledge of behavioral health systems, emergency psychiatry, and withdrawal management.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Commitment to trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive care.
Data literacy and ability to apply metrics to support clinical operations and improvement.
For more information visit www.claratel.org/careers

Claratel Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity employer regarding disability under VEVRRA and ADA