Full-time Psychiatrist

ACUTE at Denver Health, the nation’s only ICU-type medical stabilization unit for patients with extreme forms of eating disorders, is recruiting a full-time psychiatrist to join its acclaimed multidisciplinary treatment team. As the only Center of Excellence in the eating disorder field, ACUTE receives its admissions as air-ambulance transfers from medical hospitals or from eating disorder residential treatment centers after its determined that these patients are too medically fragile for those hospitals and treatment centers. ACUTE has been a well-established program for close to 20 years and has treated thousands of patients with extreme anorexia or bulimia since its inception. Philip S. Mehler, MD, ACUTE’s founder, who is considered by many to be the preeminent authority in the topical area of medical compilations of eating disorders, continues to be involved in ACUTE. Housed in a brand new, 30 bed, telemetry unit, ACUTE is completely self-contained and does not have any other types of patients on its unit. 

Summary

The ACUTE psychiatrist functions Monday-Friday in a consultant role, orders psycho-pharmacotherapy and initiates mandated ongoing care when rarely indicated and necessary. This position is supported by many ACUTE-based psychologists, clinical social workers, behavioral health technicians, registered dieticians, nurses, PT-OT staff and academic hospitalists who provide the seven days/week of medical care for ACUTE’s medically-ill patients. ACUTE’s Psychiatrists average 40-50 patient touches /week. All ACUTE staff, spend 100% of their clinical time on the ACUTE Unit at Denver Health Medical Center. 

ACUTE is also well-known for its prolific scholarly publications. The successful candidate will have an academic appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine commensurate with their academic status at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor. There is a robust opportunity to conduct research, co-author scientific papers, and become involved with teaching residents and fellows from the University of Colorado. In addition, there will be support in achieving the “certification” designation for eating disorder professionals (CEDS), which is has been achieved by less than 100 psychiatrists in the United States. 

Benefits of practicing at Denver Health include:

• Academic appointment at the University of Colorado School of Medicine
• Employee of one of the premier safety net hospitals in the United States
• Resident and medical student teaching opportunities
• Generous benefits including 4+ weeks paid time off, CME time and allowance, and robust retirement package
• Relocation benefits
• Conveniently located in Denver with access to a thriving cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, great schools, family-friendly communities, natural beauty and 300+ days of sunshine per year

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide expert care for patients with severe eating disorders, scholarly work, and training in their sub-specialty.
2. Physicians at Denver Health are faculty members of the University of Colorado School of Medicine serve as teachers for trainees seeking clinical experience at Denver Health in eating disorders at ACUTE.
3. Focus on Superior Patient Care by 1) practicing evidence-based, high-quality state-of-the art medicine; 2) encourage increased patient understanding, involvement in care, and treatment decisions; 3) Support ACUTE Departmental focus of superior patient service; and 4) participate in or support education and research.
4. Collaborate on Care Delivery by 1) including staff, other physicians and management in both service and patient care improvements; 2) treat all members with respect; 3) demonstrate the highest levels of ethical and professional conduct; and 4) behave in a manner consistent with Denver Health goals.
5. Listen and Communicate by 1) providing clinical information in a clear and timely manner; 2) requesting information and resources needed to provide care consistent with Denver Health goals; and 3) provide and accept feedback in a respectful manner from all staff.
6. Take Ownership by 1) providing leadership to improve outcomes quality and service quality; 2) work to ensure personal, departmental, and organization compliance with all legal and educational requirements; and 3) steadily improve the efficiency and economic aspects of your practice.
6. Quality Metrics. 1) Focus on clinically relevant outcome measures; 2) Change by embracing innovations to continuously improve patient care, service and organizational efficiency.

Education and Experience

1. Graduation from an Accredited Medical School and completed Accredited Psychiatry Residency Programs and fellowships for specialist, or equivalent.
2. Board Certified or Board Eligible within one year of joining Denver Health.
3. Prior extensive eating disorder experience not required. 

Certificates, Licenses and Registration

1. Medical license to practice in State of Colorado.

Interested candidates should send their CV to Katie Youll, Provider Recruiter: katie.youll@dhha.org.