From the ED to Psychiatry: Why Emergency Doctors Excel in Mental Health
Hi, it’s Jay from Blugibbon. I’ve worked in psychiatry recruitment for more than eight years, and since relocating to Australia, I’ve noticed something that keeps coming up. Emergency doctors make outstanding psychiatrists.
It isn’t a one-off observation. I’ve seen it repeatedly in hospitals across the country. The core skill set of an emergency physician translates naturally into psychiatry, particularly in crisis care and acute mental health settings.
If you want an inspiring example, listen to Dr Katie Treble on ABC Conversations as she shares her journey from emergency medicine to psychiatry. It’s a brilliant insight into what this transition can look like in real life.
The Overlap Between Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry
Working in emergency medicine means managing the unexpected every single day. Doctors who thrive in the ED are adaptable, decisive and skilled communicators. These are exactly the qualities that make a great psychiatrist.
Communication That Builds Trust
In one shift, an emergency doctor might treat a cardiac arrest, reassure a frightened child and speak with someone in acute psychosis. That ability to relate to people quickly and earn their trust is invaluable in psychiatry. It is the foundation of every good therapeutic relationship.
Crisis Triage and Risk Awareness
Emergency medicine demands quick thinking. Every case starts with one question – what is the immediate risk and what needs to happen next?
That same instinct underpins mental health work. Assessing risk, ensuring safety and planning the next step are core parts of both specialties. Doctors trained in emergency care are already comfortable making those difficult calls.
Staying Calm When It Matters
The ED can be unpredictable and emotionally charged, and yet emergency clinicians remain composed and focused. That calm under pressure is a huge advantage in psychiatry, particularly when supporting people in acute distress or managing behavioural emergencies.
*Orange Health Service consists of Orange Hospital, with an emergency department and inpatient beds, as well as community health services.
Also located on the campus are Bloomfield Hospital, the Central West Cancer Care Centre and a Ronald McDonald House.
Why This Work Feels Personal
Mental health is one of the fastest-growing and most important areas of medicine in Australia. Every day I see how much difference the right doctor can make to a service, a patient, and a community.
At Blugibbon, we’ve built a psychiatry division that connects exceptional doctors to hospitals and clinics across the country. I’ve seen firsthand how these placements change lives, not just for patients but for families, communities, and for the doctors themselves.
Our focus is simple: to match the right doctor with the right opportunity so they can truly thrive. Whether that is a psychiatry registrar looking to gain experience, or a consultant psychiatrist seeking a locum role that fits their lifestyle, our aim is to make the process smooth, personal, and rewarding.
The Many Faces of Psychiatry
Psychiatry offers a broad and fascinating range of subspecialties. Each brings its own challenges and rewards:
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – supporting young people through developmental and emotional difficulties.
Old Age Psychiatry – caring for older adults experiencing dementia, depression or anxiety.
Addiction Psychiatry – helping people overcome substance and behavioural dependencies.
Forensic Psychiatry – working at the intersection of medicine and the law.
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry – supporting patients whose physical illnesses are intertwined with mental health challenges.
Whether you are looking for permanent positions or psychiatry locum work, there are opportunities across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.
*Joondalup Health Campus Mental Health Unit image courtesy of Perth Now
Why Doctors Choose Blugibbon
Over the years, I’ve been privileged to work with many brilliant doctors who’ve joined Blugibbon. What they all appreciate most is how easy we make it to get started and how well we look after them throughout their journey.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Personal support – you’ll deal with one consultant who understands you and your goals.
Fast onboarding – our compliance and payroll teams make the paperwork simple.
Weekly payroll – prompt, reliable payments every week.
Career guidance – support with AHPRA, visas and professional development.
Access to opportunities – we work with hospitals and mental health services across every state and territory.
We’re proud to have the highest number of genuine Google reviews in our space, with an average rating of 5 stars. Doctors describe us as professional, honest and fun to work with, and that means a lot.
A Message to Our Psychiatry Community
Psychiatry is growing, and so are we. If you know psychiatrists or psychiatry registrars who might be considering locum work or a move to Australia, I’d love to hear from them.
Get in touch
If you’re exploring a career in psychiatry, or you’re an emergency doctor thinking about a change, reach out for a chat.
Email: jay@blugibbon.com.au
Website:
www.blugibbon.com.au
At Blugibbon, we believe in meaningful connections, long-term relationships and helping doctors find roles that make a real difference. That’s what this work is all about.
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