Navy Officer Subspecialty · Medical
PSYCH Psychiatry
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Overview
Navy psychiatrists evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental illness among service members and their families. They provide psychotherapy, prescribe medications, and help develop and execute resiliency and toughness programs in clinical and operational settings.
Core Skills
- psychiatric diagnosis
- medication management
- psychotherapy
- crisis intervention
- inpatient psychiatric care
- suicide risk assessment
- trauma informed care
- behavioral health program design
- resilience program development
Civilian Software & Tools
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- ADL Data Systems OptimumClinicals Electronic Health Record
Civilian Career Paths
- Physician
- Behavioral Health
- Public Health
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Primary Certification in Psychiatry
- Certification in Thanatology (CT)
- Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL)
Career Growth
- Subspecialty Certification in Child/Adolescent Psychiatry
- Subspecialty Certification in Geriatric Psychiatry
- Certification in Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH)
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)
What the Work Involves
- Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
- Gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.
- Design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.
- Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.
- Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.
Related Occupations
- Pediatricians, General
- Neurologists
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
- Family Medicine Physicians
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: graduate-level education or extensive experience.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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