Psychiatrist Jobs in California
Psychiatrist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in county behavioral health departments, large integrated health systems, academic medical centers, and community mental health organizations, with openings at every level from newly licensed physicians to senior staff and medical directors. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, and Dignity Health maintain large psychiatric departments. Child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and telepsychiatry are the most in-demand subspecialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Psychiatrist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 178+ Psychiatrist jobs
Job Summary: Under general direction, provides psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis, prescribes medications, supervises and collaborates with other team members, and facilitates treatment plans; informs program development and provides medical consultation; assists in policy and protocol development, quality assurance and implementation of program standards.
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification, however, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.
1. Acts as physician member of a multi-disciplinary team for clinical work or program development.
2. Conducts and directs individual and group psychotherapy.
3. Confers with patients’ relatives regarding illness and treatment.
4. Develops comprehensive case histories.
5. Maintains records of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis according to The Joint Commission (TJC) standards and other regulatory agencies.
6. Prepares reports and maintains records of activities.
7. Prescribes appropriate treatment plans and therapy, psychotherapy or rehabilitation programs.
8. Provides clinical supervision to licensed and professional staff.
9. Provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment across a variety of settings including psychiatric emergency, urgent care, and inpatient services.
10. Strives to provide culturally effective care to diverse ethnic populations.
11. Trains and supervises interns and residents.
12. Assess, diagnose, and treat patients experiencing serious mental illness and substance use disorders in a team-based, collaborative care setting.
13. Develop and implement individualized treatment plans that address both psychiatric and substance use disorder needs, incorporating evidence-based practices and therapeutic interventions.
14. Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including care managers, therapists, social workers, and medical providers, to ensure seamless and coordinated care for patients.
15. Provide medication management, including prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting medications as necessary to optimize patient outcomes.
16. Engage in ongoing communication with patients, families, and caregivers, offering education and support to promote adherence to treatment plans and self-management skills.
17. Participate in regular team meetings and case conferences to discuss patient progress, challenges, and strategies for improving patient care.
18. Maintain thorough and accurate documentation of patient interactions, assessments, and treatment plans in compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
19. Stay current with emerging trends and best practices in psychiatry and addiction medicine, engaging in professional development opportunities to enhance clinical skills and knowledge.
20. Provides medical specialized service as part of multidisciplinary teams providing care in settings including: homeless shelters, streets, encampments, and other places not meant for human habitation.
21. Prepares a variety of correspondence, case summaries, narrative and statistical reports, program documentation, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
22. Participates in a variety of clinical and administrative meetings.
23. Develops and conducts training on medical issues affecting the target population.
24. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required Education: Graduate of an accredited school of medicine or osteopathic medicine with an MD or DO
Required Experience: Prior community mental health services systems experience.
Required Licenses/Certifications: Valid CA License to practice Medicine and Certification in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Pay Rate: $200.59 / Hour
The pay range for this position reflects the base pay scale for the role at Alameda Health System. Final compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure and certifications, departmental equity, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the operational needs of the organization. Alameda Health System also offers eligible positions a generous comprehensive benefits program.
Location: Alameda Health System · Physicians JGP ER
Schedule: Full Time, Day
Job Summary: Under general direction, provides psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis, prescribes medications, supervises and collaborates with other team members, and facilitates treatment plans; informs program development and provides medical consultation; assists in policy and protocol development, quality assurance and implementation of program standards.
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification, however, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.
1. Acts as physician member of a multi-disciplinary team for clinical work or program development.
2. Conducts and directs individual and group psychotherapy.
3. Confers with patients’ relatives regarding illness and treatment.
4. Develops comprehensive case histories.
5. Maintains records of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis according to The Joint Commission (TJC) standards and other regulatory agencies.
6. Prepares reports and maintains records of activities.
7. Prescribes appropriate treatment plans and therapy, psychotherapy or rehabilitation programs.
8. Provides clinical supervision to licensed and professional staff.
9. Provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment across a variety of settings including psychiatric emergency, urgent care, and inpatient services.
10. Strives to provide culturally effective care to diverse ethnic populations.
11. Trains and supervises interns and residents.
12. Assess, diagnose, and treat patients experiencing serious mental illness and substance use disorders in a team-based, collaborative care setting.
13. Develop and implement individualized treatment plans that address both psychiatric and substance use disorder needs, incorporating evidence-based practices and therapeutic interventions.
14. Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including care managers, therapists, social workers, and medical providers, to ensure seamless and coordinated care for patients.
15. Provide medication management, including prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting medications as necessary to optimize patient outcomes.
16. Engage in ongoing communication with patients, families, and caregivers, offering education and support to promote adherence to treatment plans and self-management skills.
17. Participate in regular team meetings and case conferences to discuss patient progress, challenges, and strategies for improving patient care.
18. Maintain thorough and accurate documentation of patient interactions, assessments, and treatment plans in compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
19. Stay current with emerging trends and best practices in psychiatry and addiction medicine, engaging in professional development opportunities to enhance clinical skills and knowledge.
20. Provides medical specialized service as part of multidisciplinary teams providing care in settings including: homeless shelters, streets, encampments, and other places not meant for human habitation.
21. Prepares a variety of correspondence, case summaries, narrative and statistical reports, program documentation, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
22. Participates in a variety of clinical and administrative meetings.
23. Develops and conducts training on medical issues affecting the target population.
24. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required Education: Graduate of an accredited school of medicine or osteopathic medicine with an MD or DO
Required Experience: Prior community mental health services systems experience.
Required Licenses/Certifications: Valid CA License to practice Medicine and Certification in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Pay Rate: $200.59 / Hour
The pay range for this position reflects the base pay scale for the role at Alameda Health System. Final compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure and certifications, departmental equity, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the operational needs of the organization. Alameda Health System also offers eligible positions a generous comprehensive benefits program.
Location: Alameda Health System · Physicians JGP ER
Schedule: Full Time, Day
See All 178+ Psychiatrist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Psychiatrist JobsPsychiatrist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Psychiatrist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- LifeStance Health43
- Mindful Health Solutions7
- California Correctional Health Care Services7
- Allcare4
- Loma Linda University Health4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services29
- Education7
- Non-Profit & Social Services3
- Sports & Recreation1
- Technology & Software1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in psychiatrist jobs across California.
- Active California physician and surgeon license issued by the Medical Board of California
- Board certification or active eligibility in psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Completion of an accredited four-year psychiatry residency program
- DEA registration and current California Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System enrollment
- Experience with electronic health records systems such as Epic or Cerner in a clinical setting
- Familiarity with California's Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and involuntary hold procedures
Psychiatrist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a psychiatrist in California?
To become a psychiatrist in California, you must graduate from an accredited medical school, complete a four-year psychiatry residency, and obtain a physician and surgeon license from the Medical Board of California by passing the USMLE series. California also requires enrollment in CURES before prescribing controlled substances. Most staff psychiatrist positions additionally expect board certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, which requires passing written and oral examinations after residency.
How much do psychiatrists make in California?
Psychiatrists in California earn a median of about $353,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $113,990 for the lowest 10% to over $496,230 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire psychiatrists in California?
Employers hiring psychiatrists in California right now include LifeStance Health, Mindful Health Solutions, and California Correctional Health Care Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's scale and its large county behavioral health systems, including those in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, make it one of the deepest hiring markets for psychiatrists in the United States.
Which California cities have the most psychiatrist jobs?
San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles have the most psychiatrist openings in California. Los Angeles leads due to its massive county behavioral health infrastructure and concentration of academic medical centers, San Francisco draws demand from its large integrated health systems and university hospitals, and San Diego benefits from both military behavioral health contracts and a strong network of community mental health organizations.
Are there remote psychiatrist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most medical specialties. About 62% of psychiatrist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how broadly telepsychiatry has been adopted since expanded regulations made audio-video psychiatric care reimbursable across payers. Outpatient therapy management, medication management follow-ups, and consultation roles are the most consistently offered as fully remote positions.
How can I get hired as a psychiatrist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a residency at a California program and transitioning directly into an employed staff role, which most large systems structure as a first attending position. County behavioral health departments in Los Angeles, Alameda, and Sacramento counties regularly hire newly licensed psychiatrists and provide supervision structures suited to early-career physicians. Forensic and correctional psychiatry through the California Department of State Hospitals is another consistent entry point. Obtaining your California license and CURES enrollment before your residency concludes gives you a clear hiring advantage.
Where can I find and apply to psychiatrist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to psychiatrist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to California employers. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your subspecialty, licensure status, and preferred setting, and apply directly to each position through the listing.
See All 178+ Psychiatrist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Psychiatrist Jobs