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Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly mental issues.

Sometimes a psychiatrist works within a multi-disciplinary team, which may comprise clinical psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and nursing staff. Psychiatrists have broad training in a biopsychosocial approach to the assessment and management of mental illness.

Role Characteristics

  • Counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach.
  • The ability to understand people’s reactions.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills
  • Sensitivity and understanding

Skills

  • Active listening
  • Advice giving
  • Communication
  • Decision-making
  • Empathy
  • Managing people
  • Observation
  • Planning
  • Team work
  • Working under pressure

Day in the life

In this role you could:

  • assess your patient's condition by asking them about their thoughts
  • recommend treatments like counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy
  • get information from other sources like GPs, social workers or relatives
  • carry out blood tests or scans to rule out other health conditions
  • carry out psychiatric tests and prescribe medication

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

  • GCSEs
  • A-Levels
  • Undergraduate degree

How to become

To become a psychiatrist you'll need to complete a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council. a 2-year foundation programme of general training, 3 years core training in psychiatry, specialist training which can take up to 3 years.

A medical degree normally takes 5 years to complete. Some courses have the option to include an extra year if you want to study a subject further. This is called an intercalated year.

You might be able to study a foundation year before starting a medical degree. This will depend on your circumstances or if you have not studied enough sciences. Check with the admissions department where you want to study.

If you already have a degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine. There’s lots of competition and entry requirements vary, so check with the admissions department where you want to study.

To practice as a Psychiatrist, you must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) 

Where can this role lead

With experience you could:

  • become a senior consultant, once you're on the General Medical Council Specialist Register
  • lead a team or manage a unit or department
  • move into teaching trainee doctors and other healthcare professionals

Location

  • Armed Forces
  • Care Homes
  • Community Settings
  • GP Practices
  • Hospitals
  • Peoples Homes
  • Prisons

Working hours

  • Casual Hours
  • Flexible Hours
  • Full Time
  • Irregular Hours
  • Nights
  • Overtime
  • Part Time
  • Weekdays
  • Weekends
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