Florida is a Southeastern state that possesses the longest coastline of any of the forty-eight contiguous states. Its amusement parks, beaches and warm climate make it a favorite winter tourist spot, as well as a prime retirement destination. More than two-thirds of Florida’s residents were born out-of-state. The economy is largely based on agriculture, tourism and transportation, though banking, biomedical science, health care research and aerospace are also important.
Job Description of a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are licensed physicians who diagnose and treat mental illnesses. They serve as primary mental health-care givers, prescribing and applying medication. They can also use psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
Psychotherapy involves conducting regular discussion sessions with patients, exploring their problems and past experiences. Psychiatrists sometimes use group and family psychotherapy sessions. The aim is to find solutions to a patient’s problems by changing their behavioral patterns.
Psychoanalysis is the long-term application of psychotherapy and counseling. Medications are often administered to correct chemical imbalances that can cause emotional problems.
How to Become a Psychiatrist
Aspiring psychiatrists need to first get a bachelor’s degree. This degree can theoretical be in any science discipline, but fields like psychology, biology, chemistry or pre-med are normally preferred. To improve your odds of getting into medical school, you might consider volunteering or interning at a hospital or clinic.
After getting a bachelor’s degree, you’ll have to go through med school, where you’ll study subjects like psychology, ethics, medical law, pharmacology, pathology and physiology. After med school, which normally lasts four or five years, you’ll need to work as a resident for four years. After that, you can gain a psychiatric license, if you’ve managed to keep your sanity through those twelve years of training.
Salaries of Florida Psychiatrists
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, the mean yearly salary for psychiatrists in 2012 in Florida was $182,820, compared to the nationwide mean of $177,520. The mean hourly wage in Florida was $87.89, compared to the national mean of $85.35.