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Geriatric Psychiatrists

Work Environment

Geriatric psychiatrists in private practice set their own schedules and usually work regular hours. While other kinds of psychiatrists are likely to work some evenings or weekends to accommodate patients who have jobs, geriatric psychiatrists' patients typically have fairly open daytime schedules. Some geriatric psychiatrists work as few as 35 to 40 hours a week; others might work as many as 70. This depends on the type of practice, the size of the clientele, and the personal goals and desires of the psychiatrist. Geriatric psychiatrists, like other kinds of psychiatrists, may spend a certain amount of time on call. This means they need to be accessible to their patients and available to handle or advise on any crisis that might arise.

Geriatric psychiatrists in private practice typically work in comfortable office settings. Other settings may vary; consulting work in nursing homes might be somewhat less comfortable, both because the environment can be disturbing or depressing at times and because the psychiatrist may not have a designated work area. Because many geriatric psychiatrists work in a consultant capacity to various nursing or day facilities, they are more likely than other psychiatrists and physicians to commute with some frequency and work in multiple locations.

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