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) - Lyon 69
Liberal
120000 - 170000 per year
Bron
We are hiring a psychiatrist (M/F) to join a psychiatric facility located in Bron, a few kilometers from Lyon, in the Rhône department, under a permanent contract. Requirements - Permanent contract or private practice - Full-time and part-time options available - Weekly on-call duty until 7:30 p.m. and a few weekends per year The Facility You will join a private psychiatric clinic founded in 1847 and housed in modern facilities since 2019 in Bron, near downtown Lyon. It has approximately 90 employees and a large patient capacity divided between general psychiatry units and units dedicated to eating disorders. In addition, the facility has a day hospital and a department dedicated to innovative care approaches, and its values are rooted in respect, active listening, compassionate care, and integrity. Compensation - €6,500 to €8,500 gross per month - Incentive bonus Responsibilities - Consultations for patient admission - Development and monitoring of personalized care plans - Therapeutic follow-up of hospitalized patients - Participation in committees and institutional activities - Development and management of medical and therapeutic projects - Participation in the structuring and development of the facility’s strategic plan - Training activities within the clinic’s training organization Benefits - In-house training program and CME covered - Training organized during work hours - Temporary housing available upon arrival - Free parking - New facilities and a hotel-style care environment - Full-service, dedicated paramedical team - Family-like work environment and a high degree of autonomy for practitioners Equipment - 5-station electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) unit That Extra Special Touch The facility is located just a few minutes from Parilly Park, a vast green space popular for running and walking, and offers quick access to downtown Lyon, renowned for its cultural richness and gastronomy, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Qualifications A psychiatrist licensed in France or the European Union, who is registered with or eligible for registration in the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting ID: 12760 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides you with 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 (M/F) - Domont, 95
Employee
120000 - 220000 per year
Domont
Doctor, you might be interested in this new opportunity: a permanent position at a medical-social service in Domont, in the Val-d'Oise department. The terms - Permanent contract - Part-time (0.23 FTE) The Organization This is a special education and home care service affiliated with a recognized public-interest organization with a long-standing commitment to providing social, medical, and vocational support to people with disabilities. The service supports children and adolescents aged 0 to 20, particularly those with disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorders, by providing care as close as possible to where they live—whether at home, at school, or at recreational facilities. Support is based on a multidisciplinary approach involving medical, paramedical, educational, and psychosocial professionals; the service includes a nurse with whom the doctor works closely. Located in the Val-d’Oise, at the foot of the Montmorency Forest, Domont offers a lush residential setting just a few minutes from Paris and is well-connected by public transportation. Compensation For this position, your compensation will be determined during the interview, based on your qualifications and experience. Responsibilities - Providing medical care for the children and adolescents in our care - Participating in the development and monitoring of their care plans - Issuing and monitoring medical prescriptions, including prescriptions and transportation vouchers - Assessing the medical and paramedical needs of young people - Referral to appropriate medical specialists and healthcare professionals - Liaising with primary care physicians, specialists, and external healthcare professionals - Participating in multidisciplinary meetings regarding individual cases Benefits - Position with no management or team coordination responsibilities - CCN51 collective bargaining agreement with seniority credit - Medical-social and multidisciplinary environment - Close collaboration with a nurse dedicated to monitoring young people - A meaningful role in the medical care and treatment plans for young people - A recognized public-benefit organization with a long-standing commitment That little extra something Domont is nestled against the Montmorency National Forest, one of the largest forested areas in the Île-de-France region, renowned for its chestnut groves and hiking trails. The neighboring town of Montmorency is home to Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s house, where the philosopher wrote several of his major works. Finally, the nearby Lake Enghien and its thermal baths serve as a reminder of this valley’s history as a vacation destination, a tradition dating back to the 19th century. 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 ID: 13300 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides you with free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to assist 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 across France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Psychiatrist (M/F) - Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône, 95
Employee
80000 - 95000 per year
Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône
As part of its business expansion, a mental health center (CMPP) located in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône, in the Val-d'Oise department, is seeking a psychiatrist (M/F) for a permanent position. JobRequirements - Permanent contract - Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings - 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays The Facility You will join an organization serving Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône and its immediate surrounding areas, with regular visits to Cergy and Magny-en-Vexin. The work focuses on supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and ADHD, with a strong emphasis on adapting their educational experiences and fostering independence in mainstream settings. In addition, you’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team that ensures close coordination between educational and paramedical professionals. Compensation - Salary ranging from €80,000 to €95,000 gross per year, to be determined in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement 51, including seniority credit and the Ségur bonus Responsibilities - Conduct medical and psychiatric consultations with children and adolescents - Assess and diagnose neurodevelopmental, mental health, and behavioral disorders - Develop and adapt individualized treatment plans - Participate in case reviews and multidisciplinary meetings - Coordinate care with CMPP professionals and external partners - Communicate with families and refer them to appropriate services - Contribute to the CMPP’s medical plan and the evolution of its practices Benefits - Facilities suited for outpatient care across multiple locations - Meal vouchers - 50% reimbursement for public transportation and assistance with electric bike subscriptions - Seniority leave and other benefits as provided by the collective bargaining agreement - A steady flow of patients with significant treatment capacity That Extra Something The area offers a good balance between urban life and natural spaces, located near the Cergy-Pontoise basin and its recreational center, which is ideal for outdoor excursions and sports activities outside of work hours. Qualifications A psychiatrist licensed in France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job posting reference: 13206 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides you with free support until you begin your new role: - 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 listings 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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