By Harry Potter

PSYCHIATRIST

Teacher: Mr. SchellenbergBlock: A

JOB DESCRIPTION

Helping people with their mental as well as emotional problems

Giving medical tests, medicine, and hospitalizing patients

Solving even the most common problems like depression, anxiety, and any kind of addictions

Helping patients understand their behaviour, so they can have more control over it

THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THIS JOB…

Helping People With Mental and Emotional Problems• People’s emotions and thoughts can make life hard,

that’s when a psychiatrist can really help• Patients get to talk to their psychiatrist about their

thoughts and experiences, so the psychiatrist will help them understand their behaviour so they have more control over them

Prescribing Medicine• Sometimes people’s mental problems are caused by

body disorders, so medicine will be required (simply talking about it won’t help)

• Medicine is a fast way to solve a patient’s problem

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Psychiatrists work in clinical settings, like general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, private clinics, or possibly research centres.

• Some psychiatrists may split an office, with a couple of other psychiatrists, and set up a private practice.

• Medical schools is also a place where a psychiatrist may work, as they may teach part-time.

• Hours are about 8-9 hours per day a week.

INTERESTING FACT

A country wide survey, of religious beliefs of American physicians, has shown that psychiatrists are the least religious out of all doctors

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE JOB• Very rewarding, as you

are always helping others

• Large salaries of $100,000-$300,000

• Highly respected profession

• A profession that is always in high demand

• When fully qualified, you can own your own clinic, and choose own hours

• Interesting subject

NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF

THE JOB Can be stressful May have to deal with

angry and violent behaviour

Have to listen to people’s stories daily

If working in a hospital, you may get suddenly called on to work nights or weekends

Hours are long Many years of university

in order to become a psychiatrist

INTERESTING FACT

Many psychiatrists believe urban myths such as:o We only use 10% of our brainso Turkey makes us drowsy o People should drink 8 glasses of water

dailyo Mobile phones make electromagnetic

interference within hospitals

EARNINGS AND

BENEFITS

• Licensed psychiatrists can earn between $80,000 and $300,000 per year

• On average , psychiatrists earn between $120,000 and $200,000

• Psychiatrists in private practice will most likely earn more than those working in a hospital or a clinic

• Factors that determine how much money a psychiatrist earns include experience, reputation, where they work, and what field they specialize in

• Benefits that psychiatrists usually get are sick days, paid vacation time, as well as health benefits

• Psychiatrists in private practice get to decide their own benefits

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• First you must finish at least 2-3 years of undergraduate university education

• After 2-3 years of under graduate university education you must finish medical school which takes at least 3-4 years

• Once you complete medical school, you’re a doctor, but you must do a period of on-the-job training called a residency, which will take about 5 years

• After you finish your residency, you must pass the certifying exam of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and you must get a licence from the province or territory where you will be working in

PROGRAMS

Program name: Psychiatry Institution: McGill University Location: Montreal, Quebec Credential: Master Of Science Program Length: 1-3 years

Program name: Medicine (MD, CM, PhD) Institution: McGill University Location: Montreal, Quebec Credential: Doctor of Philosophy and

Medicinae Doctorem et Chirurgiae Magistrum

Program Length: 7 years

Program name: PsychiatryInstitution: University of AlbertaLocation: Edmonton, AlbertaCredential: Doctor of PhilosophyProgram Length: 4-6 years Program name: Medicine (MD and

PhD) Institution: University of Alberta Location: Edmonton, Alberta Credential: Doctor of Medicine and

Doctor of Philosophy Program Length: 6 years

INTERESTING FACT

The symbol for psychiatry is the 23rd letter of the Greek

alphabet, the Psi.

SAMPLE PATH CAREER

Level 1• Title of: Resident• Salary: $42,000 to $70,000• Requirement(s): Medical

Degree• Responsibilities include getting

sent to emergencies; seeing patients (after 2 years), but having to report to a supervisor

Level 2• Title of: Staff Psychiatrist• Salary: $90,000 to $200,000• Requirement(s): Completion

of residency period; Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certificate; license from the province/territory you’re in

• Responsibilities include treating patients at a hospital; training residents (people of level 1 status)

Level 3• Title of: Psychiatrist• Salary: $100,000 to

$300,000• Requirement(s): A couple

years of experience being a psychiatrist

• Responsibilities include treating patient; scheduling appointments as well as billing

REASONS I WANT TO BE A PSYCHIATRIST Subject seems interesting Large salaries Very rewarding career Help others Get to be called “doctor” When qualified, can choose own

hours and be own boss The job is in high demand Indoor Ability to do the job when at old

age

CONCLUSION:PSYCHOLOGIST VS. PSYCHIATRIST

Psychologist• Earn about $62,000 per year • Can’t prescribe medicine; are

not medical doctors• Needs a PhD (Doctor of

Philosophy)• Provide verbal therapy in

order to diagnose patients• Focus on what might have

caused emotional difficulties such as environment and life situations

Psychiatrist• Earn about $80,000 to

$300,000 per year• Can prescribe medicine; are

medical doctors• Needs a MD (Doctor of

Medicine)• Provide medicine in order to

diagnose patients• Focus on malfunctioning of the

body, like a chemical imbalance (focuses more on science)