Psychiatrists must have extensive medical knowledge of the human body, as well as the brain and how it works. Psychiatrists provide care for those who are affected by mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia, and addictions. A psychiatrist can examine patients, diagnose mental health issues the person may have, and prescribe medication if it is needed,
Duties of a Psychiatrist:
- Interview patients to get a mental health history.
- Perform physical/mental exam and various tests to determine if a mental health issue exists.
- Prescribe and administer medication to treat mental health issues.
- Being supportive to help patients develop a long term plan for mental health.
Work Requirements:
Psychiatrists must possess a lot of patience to listen to the problems of others all day. They must have lots of mental and emotional strenght to help others deal with complex and sometimes very difficult issues and situations. A shortage of qualified psychiatrists means the hours can be very long, and being on call means that psychiatrists might be called to work at any hour of the day.
Work Environments:
- Hospitals
- Private practice
- Universities
- Community clinics
Personality Requirements:
- Be genuine and interested in helping people.
- Proficient knowledge of medicine and mental health.
- Be patient and very mentally/emotionally strong.
- Possess great communication skills.
- Be confidential.
- Have a passion for their work and their patients.
Education: 13 years post-secondary
Bachelor's degree and a Medicine degree followed by a 5-year residency in Psychiatry.
Certification:
Provincial: Can become a member of the Ontario Psychiatric Association
National: Can become a member of the Canadian Psyciatric Association.
Courses taken in high school that will assist you in a career as a Psychiatrist:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Math
- English
- Physics
- Psychology (if offered)
Job placement - after 13 years of post-secondary education your chances of finding a job are considered - Excellent.
Mental health is an area receiving more attention as rates of mental illness are on the rise. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience some form of mental illness in their life.
Wages:
Average annual income: $65,000 - $165,000
Links:
Ontario Psychiatric Association:
Canadian Psychiatric Association:
Canadian Mental Health Association:
