Psychiatric Site Director MDC

UNM Medical Group Inc. is hiring a Psychiatric Site Director for the Metropolitan Detention Center. This opportunity is full-time (1.0FTE) position located in Albuquerque New Mexico. Only UNM Health System Providers will be considered.

Summary

The University of New Mexico Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences is seeking a full-time staff physician to serve as the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Site Psychiatric Director. The psychiatric director will serve as the responsible physician and health authority required by national standards and the McClendon Agreement. Provides overall supervision for psychiatric services for the site to ensure appropriate delivery of onsite psychiatric care. Oversees processes for necessary off-site psychiatric care. The MDC Psychiatric Director supervises other on-site psychiatrists.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Psychiatric Site Director:

• Provide onsite psychiatric assessment diagnosis and treatment of those inmates referred by the medical or clinical services staff. Provide written summaries of history diagnosis and treatment course.
• Oversee the quality and effectiveness of psychiatric healthcare delivery to the MDC patient population.
• Conduct periodic audits of the quality of psychiatric healthcare at the site and ensure compliance with national standards and the McClendon Agreement.
• Maintain regular communication with the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry
• Assesses overall service delivery and guides team in process improvement at least annually.
• Review results of site surveys and coordinate an action plan to respond to issues raised from the McClendon Agreement or accrediting bodies.
• CQI and Clinical Programs surveys with regard to behavioral health services and assist in the development implementation and follow-up monitoring processes.
• Foster positive relationships with the state and community contract leadership.
• Assist with recruitment of psychiatrists.
• Coordinate and participate in annual peer review of all contracted psychiatrists
• Provide timely feedback to providers and staff.
• Monitor outcomes under evidence-based clinical guidelines.
• Develop strategic plans in collaboration with team members.
• Monitor compliance of mid-level practitioners services against applicable professional laws regulations and requirements of the McClendon Agreement.
• Focus on interpretation of data and confirm development of satisfactory and appropriate action plans.
• Participate in root cause analysis processes related to scope of responsibility.
• Foster a professional environment among and support seamless delivery of services by the site-contracted psychiatrists mid-level providers site Behavioral Health Lead healthcare staff Regional Managers and site Health Service Administrators.
• Develop list of key individuals to effect optimal communication.
• Be available for any ACA/NCCHC accreditation visits and for McClendon Agreement attorney site visits.
• Participate in mortality morbidity and sentinel event review and create action plans to address identified issues.
• Assist in providing psychiatric leadership for the utilization management. Provide timely feedback in Utilization Management matters including outpatient and inpatient issues (transfers discharges disputes).
• Participate on committees as assigned.
• Attend meetings as directed by or jail administration.

Accountability:

1. Must be approved by the Credentialing Committee.
2. Good stewards of evidenced based medicine care.
3. Documentation must be completed between 48 to 72 hours of any visit (preferably same day). Ensures Medical Record documentation is in SOAP format problem oriented and corresponds to the therapeutic order. Ensures all documentation is timed legible and signed. Ensures all verbal or telephone orders are countersigned within seventy-two (72) hours.
4. All test results ordered in facility must to be reviewed within 72 hours.
5. The site medical director is responsible for ensuring a schedule to have all results reviewed within 72 hours as well as notes for all communication.
6. Develop a plan for transition of care whether within the facility or external to the facility and ensure that the clinicians are monitoring the records for patient care needs.
7. Ensure that the care recommended is provided when patients go outside the facility and then return.

Professionalism:

1. Required to be always professional.
2. Develop professional relationships within patients care team and clients.
3. Good ethical conduct always.
4. Adherence to UNMH policies for professionalism.

Minimum Job Requirements of a Psychiatric Site Director:

1. Graduate of an accredited medical school.
2. Fully licensed to practice medicine in the state of employment.
3. Current DEA registration.
4. Preferably board certified or board eligible to practice psychiatry and has administrative experience in corrections medicine.
5. Subject to initial and ongoing security clearance requirement
6. Commitment to diversity equity inclusion and student success as well as working with broadly diverse communities.
7. Personal and professional alignment with the values of the Department and the UNM School of Medicine.

Physical Requirements of a Psychiatric Site Director:

Employees must be able to perform the following:

1. Required to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects including the human body.
2. Required to kneel stoop crouch and/or crawl occasionally. Frequent walking throughout site; to include walking up and down flights of stairs.
3. Must have and maintain sufficient strength agility and endurance to perform during stressful (physical mental and emotional) situations encountered on the job.
4. Occasional running when responding to emergencies; must be able to perform BLS.

Work Environment:

Correctional officers provide security; however some degree of risk of verbal and physical assault from patients exists. As in any healthcare setting employees may be exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases. Inside work with periodic traveling (inter and intra state) to other locations with exposure to weather temperature extremes and hazardous road conditions. Frequent standing and walking while presenting or performing job duties.

Because patients need round the clock care working hours include days nights weekends holidays and on-call. Rotating shifts weekends as well as holidays and work during inclement weather will be required. Team members may be mandated to work shifts and/or overtime due to site/staffing or emergencies.

Essential staff is defined as healthcare and behavioral professionals that may be required or mandated to work due to site/staffing or emergencies (natural disaster inclement weather or other situations).

Why Join UNM Medical Group Inc.

Since our creation in 2007 our dynamic organization has continued to grow and form strong partnerships within the UNM Health system. Modern Healthcare recognizes UNMMG in their Best Places to Work recognition for 2025. Weve earned the Platinum Level Family Friendly Business Award from Family Friendly New Mexico. ASPIRE to incorporate the following values into all aspects of our culture and work: we always demonstrate an Attitude of Service with Positivity Integrity and Respect as we strive for Excellence. We are dedicated to embracing and promoting diversity while fostering well-being across New Mexico through cultural humility and respect for everyone.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary & Benefits: UNMMG provides a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package.
• Insurance Coverage: Includes medical dental vision and life insurance.
• Additional Perks: Offers tuition reimbursement generous paid time off and a 403b retirement plan for eligible employees.

Apply TODAY to our Medical Director opportunity with the UNM Medical Group Inc. and our Recruiter will contact you shortly! Please include a cover letter which describes your educational and professional background your interest in correctional medicine and alignment with the mission of the UNM School of Medicine. Attach a copy of your CV.