Psychiatrists Career Exploration Research PDF

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Psychiatrists
Career Exploration Research...

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Jade Boyd October 15, 2015

Psychiatrists Career Exploration Research !

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose, treat and help prevent disorders of the

mind. Like most physicians their job duties include gathering and maintaining patient information and records including family history, medical history and any history of abuse or drug use. Psychiatrists also prescribe medication and create individual treatment plans that may include visiting with a therapist regularly, taking medication or relaxation therapy such as yoga and meditation. Psychiatrists are responsible for helping their patients in curing their mental disorders or managing the symptoms so they can function in society. In the cases where the patient does not respond to treatment or refuses to take treatment the psychiatrist can hospitalize them for their safety or the safety of those around them. To become a psychiatrist in America, post-doctoral or doctoral education must be completed. After receiving a Bachelors degree with the correct prerequisites, they must graduate from a four year medical program. Although it is possible to be a doctor of medicine in America if they graduate from a medical school outside of the states, it is much more difficult to get into residency. Residency varies from specialty to specialty but for a psychiatric residency program, the doctor must complete one year of regular medical rotations and then two years of psychiatric rotations. Although not required, a fellowship can be completed after for a more specialized section of psychiatry. No physical abilities are required to be a psychiatrist but strong emotional abilities are needed to correctly preform well in

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this occupation because of the emotional toll that sometimes affects those who help people with psychiatric problems. To preform this job correctly these doctors must have patience, empathy, attention to detail, medical knowledge and many more “people skills.” Like anyone in the medical profession, psychiatrists even more so must be able to separate their own emotions from the patient. Any suicidal ideation, depression, history of abuse or deadly medical conditions the patient has could negatively impact the psychiatrists own emotions if they connect too much with the patients. Psychiatrists are needed in urban, suburban and rural areas alike. Depending on the state there may be benefits such as stipends for those that work in more rural areas. It is a career that would require most if not all work indoors. This occupation does not require traveling but due to the lack of psychiatrists in rural areas, many do travel to towns outside of the city they reside in a few times a week to accommodate the needs of those patients that cannot travel far. If needed one in this profession can work at home via telemedicine, a program similar to Skype but for doctors who don't necessarily need to see physical ailments and have patients too far to see in person. Similar to many other doctors, psychiatrists would have to stay at work after they have seen their last patient to finish notes and charts on the patients and any changes to their treatment plan or new symptoms they are experiencing. Doctors who feel they cant stay after their normal hours can hire a script to write their notes for them. In 2014 psychiatrists in the United states had an average salary of $182,700 , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS reported that their salaries ranged from $70,920 or less, to $187,199 or higher. In New Mexico, the average salary is $119,440. This can range depending on where they practice and if they practice for a hospital, large company or have their own private practice.

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The My Next Move assessment did not really provide me with much information I didn't already know about myself. I have been told I was artistic and social since I was very young. I don't feel it necessarily steered me into a career path. The assessment targets aspects of your personality but it does not question things you would like in a career such as a six figure salary. It also doesn't take into consideration skills you are naturally good at. The assessment evaluates things you like or think might be interesting. I think being a flight attendant would be interesting but I want to make more money than being a flight attendant could provide me with. The research assignment furthered my previous decision to not be a psychiatrist. I don't think I would be able to take the emotional toll involved with jobs like therapists, psychiatrists and social workers. On the other hand, I do want to become a physician and researching the pay a psychiatrist receives and education they need to complete helped confirm my decision to have a high powered, high paying job. After completing this assignment, I confidently feel I could find information on any career I am considering.

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