What a psychiatrist does
Psychiatrists assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions, including mood, anxiety, psychotic, substance use and developmental disorders. Their work may involve consultations, medication management, psychotherapy and leadership of a multidisciplinary team. For an employer, a psychiatrist expands what the service can safely offer, supports family physicians who need specialist input and gives patients access to care that is often difficult to find in the community.
Demand for psychiatric care is high, and psychiatrists can be selective about where they work. They look closely at caseload, the mix of consultation and ongoing care, team support, virtual care options and call obligations. Finch helps you describe your service accurately, including the populations you serve, then presents the role to psychiatrists whose subspecialty interests and preferred practice style suit it.
Typical responsibilities
- Conduct psychiatric assessments and provide diagnoses and treatment recommendations
- Prescribe and monitor psychiatric medications
- Provide consultation to family physicians and other referring providers
- Deliver or oversee psychotherapy where it is part of the role
- Lead or take part in multidisciplinary case reviews
- Assess risk and coordinate urgent care when a patient's safety is a concern
Qualifications and credentials
- CPSO registration permitting independent practice in psychiatry
- Royal College certification in psychiatry (FRCPC) or equivalent recognized credentials
- Active OHIP billing number
- CMPA membership or equivalent medical liability protection
- Experience with the population you serve, such as child and adolescent, geriatric or addiction psychiatry
Who hires a psychiatrist
- Hospital mental health programs
- Community mental health and addiction agencies
- Private psychiatry and psychotherapy clinics
- Virtual mental health services
- Family health teams offering shared mental health care
Where we recruit psychiatrist candidates
We fill psychiatrist roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Confirm CPSO registration and any terms, conditions or limitations
- Verify Royal College certification and subspecialty training
- Discuss preferred caseload, comfort with virtual care and call expectations
- Review experience with the conditions and patient groups you see most
- Check references from clinical leaders or program directors
Interview questions to ask
- How do you balance one-time consultations with patients who need ongoing follow-up?
- How do you work with family physicians in a shared care arrangement?
- Describe how you assess and document risk when a patient is in crisis.