The academic path to becoming a psychiatrist is long and demanding. It combines the acquisition of medical knowledge with the exercise of clinical skills. This specialization includes practical internships, research and - often - further training. In this article, we'll explore the various stages that we only touched on in our psychiatrist's job description.
General medical studies
First cycle
Before entering higher education, future psychiatrists must obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, they can choose between two options:
- The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
- Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
- Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
- Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
- Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
- The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.
- The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)
- Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
- At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they will either be rejected or integrated into the second year of general medical studies.
- The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, encouraging skills and reorientation.
Second cycle
After the PASS or L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two diploma sections:
- The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
- Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.
Externship examinations
During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a series of tests which, depending on their results and rankings, will enable them to choose their specialty, as well as their city. Here's the list:
- Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and account for 60% of the final grade. To pass, students must obtain a mark of at least 14/20 in the theoretical knowledge required by all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
- Objective and Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): these are held in May and account for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum mark is 10/20.
- University course mark: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final mark.
Specialization in psychiatry
Once they have completed their general medical studies, students specializing in psychiatry enter a four-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:
- Theoretical training: interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of psychiatry. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
- Practical training: psychiatric interns participate in the work of various health services. They carry out consultations, surgery and patient follow-up under the supervision of experienced specialists.
Finally, psychiatric interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, he or she is awarded the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Psychiatrie (DES). In all, it took 10 years of study to become a psychiatrist.
Further training to become a psychiatrist
After training in psychiatry, some practitioners choose to specialize in specific psychiatric fields, such as child psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, addictology or liaison psychiatry. This additional training will enable them to leverage their expertise to secure better job offers as psychiatrists.
From the rigor of initial studies to the acquisition of specific clinical and surgical skills, each stage of the training to become a psychiatrist is crucial. They train qualified professionals capable of diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions. Ongoing training is essential in this evolving field, ensuring that specialists remain at the cutting edge of advances. This combination of theoretical knowledge, practical experience and dedication to learning is the key to success in this exciting field.
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Psychiatrist (M/F) - Thionville 57
Employee
4800 - 9500 per month
Thionville
As part of its business expansion, a hospital in Thionville, in the Moselle department, is seeking a new psychiatrist (M/F). Requirements - Tenured hospital physician or contract physician - At least one on-call shift per month The Facility You will join a leading hospital in the Northern Lorraine region, spread across several sites, including locations in Thionville and the neighboring metropolitan area. The hospital offers a comprehensive range of care services organized around several specialized units, including psychiatry and mother-child care, with a 61-bed ward. In addition, the psychiatric department includes psychiatric emergency services, inpatient units, and child and adolescent psychiatry clinics supported by multidisciplinary teams. Compensation - €4,800 to €9,000 gross per month for tenured attending physicians - €8,000 to €9,500 gross per month for a contract physician - €150 gross per on-call shift Responsibilities - Care for hospitalized patients or those receiving outpatient care - Conducting psychiatric evaluations and making diagnoses - Coordinating patient care pathways with hospital and private practice partners - Working with multidisciplinary teams and participating in clinical meetings - Participating in medical projects and the organization of the department Benefits - A leading institution offering a wide range of medical specialties - Well-structured psychiatry department with inpatient beds - Housing assistance available for two months for tenured faculty members - 80% of moving expenses covered for tenured hospital physicians - Opportunity to transition to private practice, subject to eligibility That Extra Little Something Thionville enjoys a prime location near Luxembourg and regional rail lines, making it easy to travel for work and take weekend getaways along the Moselle River. Qualifications A psychiatrist licensed in France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the Order. Contact us at: 07.44.71.65.08 or by email at [email protected]. Job posting reference: 12997 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Psychiatrist in a Psychiatric Unit (M/F) - Cadillac, 33
Employee
55000 - 124000 per year
Cadillac
We are hiring a psychiatrist (M/F) to join a hospital in Cadillac, Gironde. Requirements - Any employment status (PH, PHC, Assistant) - Full-time The Facility You will join a facility specializing in the treatment of mental illness and the management of psychological distress. The care services cover adult, pediatric, and adolescent units, as well as a cross-disciplinary program dedicated to forensic psychiatry. In addition, the regional network extends from the Bordeaux metropolitan area to southern Gironde, with significant overall capacity spread across numerous care facilities. The medical and nursing program incorporates a tiered approach to care, as well as research and innovation. The unit for inmates (UMD) currently has 67 beds distributed across four units within a specialized facility and offers intensive therapeutic programs. Compensation - Salary ranging from €55,000 to €124,000 gross per year, to be determined based on employment status Responsibilities - Admitting and assessing patients under forensic psychiatry care, ensuring continuity of care throughout their stay - Providing regular medical follow-up for patients and ensuring the care framework is maintained - Participating in clinical, review, institutional, and operational meetings of the department - Potential participation in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) based on interest and skills - Performing on-call duties according to the established schedule (1 to 2 months) Benefits - Unit located near the central part of Cadillac-sur-Garonne - On-site parking and cafeteria - Opportunity to combine various duties based on preference - Compensation based on new status and bonuses awarded based on eligibility (PET, IASL, IESPE, PECH) That Extra Little Something Cadillac is situated on the banks of the Garonne River, near the Bordeaux metropolitan area and surrounded by renowned vineyards, offering a pleasant living environment that blends cultural heritage with wine-growing landscapes. Qualifications A psychiatrist licensed in France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the Order. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected]. Job posting reference: 12976 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in onboarding healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Psychiatrist for an Inpatient Unit (M/F) - Lormont, 33
Employee
55000 - 124000 per year
Lormont
As part of its business expansion, a psychiatric facility in Lormont, Gironde, is seeking a new psychiatrist (M/F) under any employment status. Requirements - Any employment status (PH, PHC, Assistant) - Part-time The Facility You will join a clinic specializing in the treatment of mental disorders and psychological distress, located in Lormont with a service area covering the Bordeaux metropolitan area and southern Gironde. In addition, the facility offers a diverse range of care services, including units for adults, children, and adolescents, specialized treatment programs, and a forensic medicine component. The inpatient admission unit has 26 beds and a balneotherapy facility. You will work alongside two other psychiatrists and a multidisciplinary team consisting of managers, nurses, nursing assistants, psychologists, social work assistants, a sports instructor, and consulting general practitioners. Compensation - Salary ranging from €55,000 to €124,000 gross per year, to be determined based on employment status Responsibilities - Organize regular medical follow-ups for patients - Systematically update the Electronic Health Record (EHR) - Meet with families as needed - Write and track medical prescriptions using the facility’s software - Prescribe therapeutic activities - Ensure compliance with the care plan’s prescriptions - Order additional tests and coordinate with other specialists and the department’s general practitioner - Request or renew MDPH files - Develop and implement patient care plans - Participate in multidisciplinary review meetings - Work in collaboration with the department’s community-based manager - Participate in on-call care and cover on-call shifts Benefits - Facilities equipped with balneotherapy - Opportunity to work across various settings, including an intensive day hospital, day center, mental health clinic (CMP), or mobile teams - On-site parking and lunch delivery available - Compensation based on new employment status and experience - Bonuses awarded based on eligibility (including PET, IASL, IESPE, and PECH) That Extra Little Something Lormont is located right next to the Bordeaux metropolitan area and the Garonne River, offering quick access to urban amenities, cultural activities, and the Bordeaux vineyards for your getaways outside of work. Qualifications A psychiatrist licensed in France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the Order. Contact us at: 07.44.71.65.08 or by email at [email protected] Job posting reference: 12982 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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