Overview
Psychiatrists diagnose, assess, treat and prevent human mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. Psychiatric Registrars training as Psychiatrists are included here.
Day-to-day
- assessing patients' mental and physical status to determine the nature and extent of mental, emotional and behavioural disorders
- assessing patients' medical, psychiatric and psychological histories
- examining patients to determine general physical condition
- ordering laboratory tests, imaging, neuropsychological tests and other diagnostic procedures
- examining the results of tests and examinations to determine the most appropriate forms of treatment
- prescribing and administering medication, psychotherapy, and other physical treatments and rehabilitation programs
- arranging admission to hospitals and providing in-patient treatment
- consulting, supervising and working with other Medical Practitioners and Health Professionals
- determining whether patients require involuntary treatment in accordance with relevant mental health acts
- assisting courts and other statutory bodies in managing patients in legal and forensic settings
- teaching medical students and registrars, and assessing their progress by administering tests.
Considerations
- Stressful
To become a Psychiatrist
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You need to be a qualified Medical Practitioner and then complete further training with the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists before you can specialise as a Psychiatrist.
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Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is required.
Skills employers are looking for
