Psychiatrists

Adult Psychiatrist

Child Psychiatrist

Consulting Psychiatrist

Medical Doctor (MD)

Outpatient Psychiatrist

Prison Psychiatrist

Psychiatrist

Staff Psychiatrist

What is a Psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialized in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders. They hold a medical degree, have completed a residency in psychiatry, and are often board-certified in their field. Psychiatrists utilize a combination of medical, psychological, and social approaches to treat complex emotional and psychological problems. They may prescribe medications, conduct psychotherapy, and provide both inpatient and outpatient care. Their work often involves collaborating with psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to design comprehensive treatment plans tailored to individual patients. Psychiatrists are equipped to address a broad range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction, and personality disorders. Additionally, they play a key role in public health initiatives, advocating for mental health awareness and promoting access to mental health services.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

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.

Technology Skills

Medical software
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel 365
Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook 365
Accounting software
- Not found - possibly fictional or discontinued
Graphics or photo imaging software
- Various VR platforms (Meta Quest, SteamVR, etc.)

Tools Used

Electronic blood pressure units
Medical acoustic stethoscopes
- Mechanical stethoscopes
Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
Mercury blood pressure units
- Manual blood pressure units
Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
- Personal digital assistants PDA

Knowledge

Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

15 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R85,566pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Psychiatrist in South Africa

Choosing a career in psychiatry is a significant commitment that blends the rigour of medical science with the nuances of human psychology. In the South African context, where mental health resources are in high demand, this role is both challenging and profoundly rewarding. Currently, the market reflects this need with 22 active vacancies and a competitive average salary of R85,566pm. Notably, salary trends for 2024 have shown a steady upward trajectory, starting at approximately R75,298 in January and projected to reach R94,123 by December, reflecting the growing value placed on mental health specialists.

Is Psychiatry Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before embarking on this decade-long journey, evaluate your alignment with the core traits required for the profession:

Emotional Resilience: Can you maintain professional boundaries while dealing with patients in acute distress or trauma?
Clinical Curiosity: Do you have a deep interest in both the biological functions of the brain and the social determinants of mental health?
Patience and Persistence: Are you comfortable with long-term treatment plans where progress may be incremental?
Ethical Integrity: Can you navigate complex legal and ethical frameworks, such as the Mental Health Care Act?
Active Listening: Do you possess the ability to hear what is not being said during a clinical consultation?
Cultural Sensitivity: Can you provide inclusive care that respects the diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds of South African patients?

A Day in the Life of a South African Psychiatrist

A typical day often begins early, whether in a public hospital like Chris Hani Baragwanath or a private facility. You might start with ward rounds, reviewing patients with conditions ranging from bipolar disorder to substance-induced psychosis. In South Africa, psychiatrists often lead a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists to create holistic discharge plans.

Your afternoon might involve outpatient consultations or forensic assessments. Unlike other medical specialities, much of your "procedure" time is spent in deep conversation, analysing symptoms, and fine-tuning psychotropic medications. The environment is often high-pressure, requiring you to make quick, decisive clinical judgements regarding patient safety and involuntary admissions, all while maintaining a calm and reassuring demeanour.

Education & Continuous Upskilling

The path to becoming a Psychiatrist in South Africa is rigorous and requires a commitment to lifelong learning:

Formal Medical Training: You must first complete a 6-year MBChB degree at a recognised South African university, followed by two years of internship and one year of community service.
Specialisation (Registrarship): After qualifying as a general practitioner, you must complete a 4-year residency (Registrarship) in a psychiatric hospital while earning a Master of Medicine (MMed) or the Fellowship of the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa — FCPsych(SA).
HPCSA Registration: You must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Specialist Psychiatrist.
Short Courses & Certifications: Beyond formal degrees, many practitioners specialise further through short courses in Addiction Medicine, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, or Forensic Psychiatry.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is not just a regulatory requirement; it is essential. The field of neuropsychiatry evolves rapidly, and staying updated on the latest pharmacological advancements and therapeutic modalities is vital to providing world-class care.

Next Steps

Becoming a psychiatrist is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires a unique blend of medical expertise and profound human empathy. If you feel called to bridge the gap in South African mental healthcare and are ready to take on the academic and emotional challenges of this prestigious field, the time to act is now. Test your readiness today by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you have the psychological profile to excel in this vital medical speciality.

Skills

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Post-doctoral training

59 %
Doctoral degree

34 %
Master's degree

5 %

Work Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

Prescribe medications.
Prescribe treatments or therapies.
Treat patients using psychological therapies.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Record patient medical histories.

Work Interests

Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.