Directs and supervises all medical service in a mental hospital or skilled nursing facility;

OR

Directs and provides clinical supervision for all medical staff within a major adult correctional facility.

Supervises, trains, and evaluates work of medical and nursing staff; coordinates their work with related programs;

Oversee the medical care and services and serves as primary care provider for medical care of residents of a facility or institution;

Implement and evaluate resident care policies and procedures that reflect current standards of practice, which include admission policies, care practices, delivery of care services, clinical assessments, analysis of assessment findings, care planning, preventive care, care plan monitoring and modification, infection control, transfer and discharge planning, use and availability of ancillary services, advance directives, resident choice regarding medical care options and mechanisms for communicating and resolving issues related to medical care and standards of practice;

Reviews treatment plans, clerical records, diagnoses, and patient-release proposals for quality and adherence to facility or institution policy;

Conducts or participates in meetings on clinical and administrative policy, research programs, and treatment techniques;

Examines and evaluates patients with neurological problems for admission or discharge;

Examines, diagnoses and prescribes treatment for mentally ill patients with neurological problems;

Prepares reports and correspondence on treatment programs, hospital policy, and patient progress;

Directs, evaluates and is accountable for all psychiatric treatment programs of one or more services;

Provides direct psychiatric treatment to patients;

Consults with and advises treatment staff; makes recommendations on possible specific treatment plans;

Participates in conferences and meetings concerning institution, division, and/or agency policy;

Checks and reviews treatment, patients' charts, and related activities for conformance with policy and to maintain standards;

Represents hospital at clinical, public, and professional meetings;

Is accountable for in-service treatment staff;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of:  principles and procedures of institutional neurology; care and treatment of neurologically impaired mentally ill, recent research and development in neurology; hospital administration; general and psychiatric medical care; materials and treatment used in hospital care of mentally ill; related laws and regulations; hospital administration.

Ability to:  direct and train medical and nursing personnel; establish and maintain standards of medical and nursing care; coordinate medical treatment with other institution programs; direct and evaluate work of physicians and psychiatrists; diagnose and treat physical and mental illness; teach and train others; establish and maintain standards; speak and write effectively; exercise mature judgment.

A valid license to practice medicine and surgery in the state of Washington and eligibility for certification from a program accredited by the American Board of Medical specialties.

Completion of an approved residency program in the designated specialty area.

Note:  Eligibility for American Board certification is required. Certification must be obtained within the six (6) month probationary period as a condition of continued employment.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

The desirable qualifications listed in this section are provided for use as a guide only.  Specific position qualifications will vary on a position by position basis. 

New occupational category, class consolidates 51180 Neurologist, 51350 Clinical Director; adopted May 10, 2005, effective January 1, 2006.

Revise class.  Deletes distinguishing characteristics, adds definition, adds knowledge and abilities, revise distinguishing characteristics, revise desirable qualifications, general revision, adopted May 12, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.

Salary adjustment, revised definition, typical work and legal requirements; adopted June 30, 2017, effective July 1, 2017.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.