Psychiatric - Mental Health Physician

Position Title

Psychiatry Medical Director (Empath Program)

About the Role

University of Kentucky Health Care is seeking a board-certified / board-eligible Psychiatrist to join the program as a Medical Director. EmPATH Psychiatric Unit UK Healthcare

Lead as the Medical Director for both Eastern State Hospital and the EmPATH unit, providing high-quality psychiatric care to adult patients. The EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) unit is a crisis intervention center that offers a therapeutic alternative to emergency departments for behavioral health crises.

Eastern State Hospital : A 239-bed facility with a mission of recovery-focused care, delivering inpatient mental health services across 50 counties.

EmPATH Unit : A specialized, 24 / 7 crisis intervention unit with a welcoming environment for behavioral health, providing rapid assessment and stabilization within a dedicated space

As part of our faculty, you will engage in a robust mix of clinical care, teaching, and research within UKHC s state-of-the-art facilities. You will mentor medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals, contributing to the continued growth of our respected psychiatric program.

Qualifications

Education : M.D. / D.O. degree or equivalent

Experience : Completion of residency in Psychiatry; strong clinical background and demonstrated teaching abilities

Certifications : Board eligible / board certified in Adult Psychiatry (American Psychiatric Association) with current or eligible licensure to practice in Kentucky

Skills : Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to connect with internal and external stakeholders

Work Hours, Call Schedule & Other Info.

Work Location :

Empath Unit located at Eastern State Hospital

Call Schedule : Yes, rotation

Patient Volume IP / OP :

12 patients at a time (rotation)

# of Exam Rooms : 12 Chairs

# of Advanced Practice Providers :

7 (4 Day Shift, 3 Night Shift)

# of Nurses :

6 RNs, 1 Nurse Manager

# of Support Staff :

10 Mental Health Associates, 2 Peer Support Specialists, 2 Social Worker Seniors (MSW), 4 Patient Access / Registration Staff

Compensation, Bonus, CME, & PTO

Compensation will be discussed with complete transparency during the phone screen

1,970 wRVUs annual target

$5000 CME

Loan forgiveness bonus available

Annual vacation time is 22 days per year (on a prorated basis)

Malpractice

Yes, included with tail. We have our own with UK HealthCare. 1M to 3M coverage.

Benefits

Our physicians enjoy a competitive salary and bonus structure based on the AAMC Physician benchmarks. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, a 200% match retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.

UK HealthCare Highlights & Impacts

• Ranked hospital in Kentucky by U.S. News for 8 consecutive years.
• Level I Trauma Center
• Strong in cancer, ENT, OB-GYN, GI, cardiology, pediatric specialties, and high-volume complex procedures
• 34K cases July 2024-April 2025
• 1.2 million ambulatory volumes
• 110K ER Visits / 39K discharges
• New Cancer & Neuro Center opening 2027
• Kloiber Foundation Teen Lounge

UK HealthCare Locations

About Lexington, KY

Links

About UK HealthCare UK Healthcare

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Psychiatry UK Healthcare