Staff Psychiatrist (Safety)

If you're dedicated to elevating mental health care...

Psychiatrists are integral members of robust multidisciplinary mental health teams working together to treat the whole person - not just symptoms. Whether you choose to practice in a Telehealth, Outpatient, or Inpatient setting, you'll provide essential mental health care - from ongoing medication management to pragmatic crisis care - to a diverse, historically underserved patient population.

• 373,632 – Board Certified at Headquarters and Regional Office
• 363,108 – Board Eligible at Headquarters and Regional Office
• 485,721 – Board Certified in-person care in an inpatient unit
• 472,040 – Board Eligible in-person care in an inpatient unit

Recruitment and Retention Bonuses:

Clinicians newly hired with the State of CA and providing onsite, in-person care are eligible for a 1% bonus for the first 7 years, increasing by 1% year over year, maxing at a 7% bonus by year 7.

Psychiatrists newly hired with the state of CA are also eligible to receive a recruitment and retention bonus of up to $15,000 within the first 12 months of service.

Referral Bonus

All CCHCS/CDCR employees that refer a mental health clinician who is successfully hired by CCHCS may be eligible to receive a referral bonus of $5,000 per appointed referral.

Our psychiatrists enjoy not just increased salaries, but also a range of comprehensive State of California benefits:

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Essential healthcare needs covered for you and your family.

Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday Schedule: Ample time for rest and personal pursuits.

Robust 401(k) and 457(b) Retirement Plans: Secure your future with tax-deferred retirement plans allowing you to defer up to $49,000 - $65,000 per year.

State of CA Retirement that Vests in Five Years: Long-term security with benefits that start in just five years (more details at

Annual Stipend of $2,500/year for CME costs and Annual Allocation of 60 hours for CME: Invest in your professional development with our Continuing Medical Education benefits.

Relocation Assistance: If you’re new to state service in California, we’ve got the cost of your move covered.

Dedicated Assistance with Visa Sponsorship: We support your work visa needs.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaboration efforts at all levels of the Department.

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