We’re not just behavioral health people—we’re crisis people.

Connections has built a model that combines medical and recovery-oriented treatment that gets people connected to community-based resources and back to their lives faster.  Our aim is for solutions, not just stop-gaps. Real support, not restriction.  We have proven that our model improves access, creates hope and makes the behavioral health crisis system work better, and we’re finding better ways to do it every day

Our story

Originally founded by two emergency room psychiatrists, Dr. Chris Carson and Dr. Robert Williamson, Connections Health Solutions brings 30 years of experience serving individuals in crisis and operates two of the nation’s largest and most studied crisis response centers in Phoenix and Tucson Arizona.  Since opening our doors we have provided care and treatment for hundreds of thousands of individuals in crisis

What You'll Do:

This individual is responsible for providing coverage for Full Time Inpatient and Observation Unit Psychiatrists on an as-needed basis. Qualified candidates will be familiar with A.R.S. Title 36 as it pertains to COE/COT processes and procedures, and will direct, coordinate, and provide medical/clinical services to assigned patients within the facility including but not limited to: assessment, differential diagnosis, treatment planning, medication management, engagement, family meetings, supportive psychotherapy, patient education, risk assessment and discharge planning. 

• Complete initial full psychiatric assessments, crisis interventions, family interventions, focused crisis diagnostic assessments, assessments of capacity for consent to treatment, risk assessments, patient education, progress toward treatment goals, and discharge planning including medical, psychological, social, behavioral and developmental aspects of the consumer’s care, treatment, and services.
• Document patient’s progress in the clinical record in progress notes.
• Write orders related to the patient treatment plan, including admission orders, discharge orders, and medication administration orders.
• Oversee delivery of medication education and consent, according to established policy.
• Order laboratory tests according to standards of clinical practice.
• Review the health assessments completed by nursing staff.
• Obtain a past and current medical history, and conduct a focused physical examination as indicated, according to established guidelines.
• Initiate contact with Primary Care Physicians and Emergency Room clinicians according to professional standards and established guidelines.
• Assess patients’ needs and guide the clinical team while managing treatment plan updates, in addition to initiating contact with Outpatient Behavioral Health Provider according to established guidelines.
• Review and utilize all available documents from the crisis clinical team.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary staff to ensure each treatment modality is appropriate for the patient.
• Work with the community to review involuntary petitions, assess involuntary patients, and coordinate with the legal system to follow established guidelines for Court Ordered Evaluation and Treatment.
• The Psychiatrist may not act as the 2^nd COE Affiant when clocked in under this role.
• Participates in medical staff meetings including regional and quarterly meetings; participates in all required CRC/UPC meetings; and participates in any meeting as requested by Medical Leadership.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

COE Unit-Specific Responsibilities (in addition to above)

• When the Pool Psychiatrist is providing coverage for the COE Unit Chief Psychiatrist, he/she is responsible for fulfilling all of that Psychiatrists’ COE-specific duties, including acting as the 1^st Affiant to all patients admitted to the COE Unit who are being petitioned for court-ordered treatment.
• As such, this Psychiatrist cannot act as the 2^nd COE Affiant for UPC patients when clocked in under this role.
• Perform all initial psychiatric evaluations for patients newly admitted to the COE unit during their time of coverage.
• Testify in COT hearings as needed/required by the court.
• Serve as supervising attending Psychiatrist for all patients admitted under COE being cared for by NP/PA provider(s).
• All NP/PA cases should be staffed daily with the Psychiatrist; Psychiatrist may opt to personally evaluate those patients on an as needed basis.
• Lead daily (Mon-Fri) interdisciplinary team rounds for all patients admitted under COE.
• Work closely with the COE Program Manager to ensure COE unit is operating optimally.
• Escalate complicated cases to UPC Medical Director as clinically indicated, based on the Psychiatrist’s own clinical judgment.
• Perform 2^nd COE affidavits for patients admitted to the STIU at the CRC under COE on an as needed basis.

Direct Reporting:

None
Supervisory Functions:
Supervises MD/DO students and psychiatry residents regarding diagnosis, treatment and disposition. Authenticates student’s/residents’ documentation in the system.
Supervises NP/PA on unit during shift regarding diagnosis, treatment and disposition.

What You'll Bring:

• Doctorate of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine.
• 4 years of post-doctoral experience, to include approved psychiatric residency training programs, in the delivery of mental health treatment to children, adolescents, and/or adults.
• Currently licensed by the State of Arizona.
• Board certified in Psychiatry.
• Unrestricted DEA license.

It would be great if you had:

• Prior experience in performing court-ordered evaluations and treating court-ordered patients.
• Familiarity with A.R.S. Title 36 as it pertains to COE/COT processes and procedures.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive health insurance, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
• Company paid Basic Life, Short and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life insurance option
• Health Savings Accounts (with employer contribution)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support
• Online Subscription to Headspace, a digital mindfulness and meditation platform
• 401k Plan with company match
• Paid time off and 7 paid Holidays

The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated, including showing proper documentation, or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Company’s exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment.