Psychiatry

Psychiatric services are available at both our Virginia and Hibbing locations. Our psychiatric staff provides services to individuals ages 5 to 100. Psychiatric services focus on diagnosing and treating mental disorders of both children and adults. The psychiatric staff evaluates the need for psychiatric medications and meets with clients on a regular basis for medication management. The Hibbing psychiatric staff also provide services on the inpatient psychiatric units at Fairview University Medical Center Mesabi. Our psychiatric staff includes Psychiatrists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, and psychiatric nurses.

A psychiatrist has a medical degree (MD or DO) just like a family doctor or surgeon but has chosen to specialize in the treatment of mental illness. They can assess a person’s bodily functioning, diagnose disorders, and prescribe medications. They are knowledgeable about the different kinds of physical and mental disorders that may cause certain symptoms and behaviors. They are knowledgeable about the interactions of different kinds of medications and the possible side effects that may result from taking medications. Sometimes they order lab tests to rule out a physical cause for a person’s symptoms before they might prescribe medications for a mental illness.

A CNS or NP has a Master’s degree in nursing along with additional training, which qualifies them to prescribe medications. They can do much of what a psychiatrist can do but must work under a collaboration agreement with a physician.

Our psychiatric nurses have either a RN or LPN and are licensed in the state of Minnesota. They are available to assist the doctor or CNS or NP and are available to answer patient questions about they purpose, side effects and regime of prescribed medications.

In Virginia, call (218) 749-2881. In Hibbing, call (218) 263-9237.