Psychiatrist Opening! Petersburg- Virginia! Join Our Team!

Psychiatrist – Central State Hospital (Petersburg, VA)
Full-Time | State Employment | Comprehensive Benefits

Central State Hospital (CSH) is seeking a dedicated Psychiatrist to join our multidisciplinary treatment team in providing high-quality, person-centered inpatient psychiatric care. CSH is a 277-bed, Joint Commission–accredited facility in Petersburg, Virginia, proudly serving the Commonwealth since 1870 as the first psychiatric hospital in the nation dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new, state-of-the-art hospital campus is currently under construction, with anticipated completion in 2027.

CSH includes Virginia’s only maximum-security psychiatric treatment unit (111 beds) and 166 adult inpatient beds serving individuals from the community and the criminal justice system. Our treatment philosophy is holistic, compassionate, and recovery-oriented, recognizing that each person’s journey is unique. Services include evidence-based therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, substance use treatment, and comprehensive psychiatric care.

Position Summary

The Psychiatrist provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, treatment, and clinical leadership within an interdisciplinary team. This role is responsible for ensuring safe, ethical, and effective use of psychotropic medications; monitoring progress; and adjusting treatment plans to support stabilization, recovery, and timely discharge.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting thorough psychiatric and medical assessments

• Prescribing and managing medications in accordance with standards of care, with appropriate informed consent or judicial authorization

• Monitoring treatment response and side effects

• Maintaining timely, accurate clinical documentation

• Providing leadership within the treatment team and supporting a collaborative, therapeutic environment

• Participating in hospital committees, performance improvement initiatives, and on-call coverage

• Upholding professional integrity, empathy, and respect for patients and colleagues

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong psychiatric evaluation, examination, diagnostic, and documentation skills

• Working knowledge of current psychiatric and medical treatment modalities

• Effective verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

• Completion of an accredited residency in Psychiatry

• Active license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia

• DEA registration

Join Us
Become part of a mission-driven team committed to providing hope, healing, and recovery. Central State Hospital offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a historic institution entering a new era of modernization and patient-centered care.

Ready to Apply?
Contact: Tamara.hinchey@dbhds.virginia.gov 
www.dbhds.virginia.gov 

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property, with a scheduled completion date of 2027.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Full-Time Psychiatrist that will provide psychiatric and medical care to individuals admitted to the hospital. In order to perform the position successfully the incumbent must possess good evaluation/examination, documentation and diagnostic skills for the treatment and management of mental and medical illnesses. Must have basic knowledge of current psychiatric or medical treatment modalities. Must possess effective communication skills, both oral and written, in order to succinctly document in the medical record and for articulating and interacting with patients and others. Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.