Officer Subspecialty
PSYCH
Psychiatry
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Description
<p>Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental illness. Navy Psychiatrists care for service members and their families. They work in a variety of settings: clinics and inpatient wards at military treatment facilities or operational commands, everywhere our sailors and Marines are stationed. Navy Psychiatrists are medical doctors (completed medical school and residency) who are not just able to provide psychotherapy and prescribe medications but are also instrumental in developing and executing the Navy’s resiliency and toughness programs.</p> Fellowships are available in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, and Addiction Psychiatry.
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
Common Certifications
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Certification
- Medical Doctor License
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Certification
- Addiction Psychiatry Certification
- Forensic Psychiatry Certification
Civilian Career Paths
- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
- EMERGENCY MEDICINE
- PUBLIC HEALTH
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Medical Doctor License
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Psychiatric Mental Health First Aid
Career Growth
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Certification
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Certification
- Addiction Psychiatry Certification
- Forensic Psychiatry Certification
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Data sourced from official Navy publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.