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 HC 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

UKHC Locations

About Lexington, KY

Links

About UK HealthCare UK Healthcare

In Kloiber Foundation Teen Lounge, teens can be themselves UKNow

Psychiatry UK Healthcare

The University of Kentucky is an Equal Opportunity Employer.