Staff Psychiatrist, CF - Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP)
Job Description and Duties
Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented in response to the status of the State budget. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit 16, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 4.62 percent and will receive 8 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly for at least 16 months. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part-time employees are subject to the same conditions as full-time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time-base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full-time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period.
About the Role
This classification is subject to Section 5, Hiring-Above-Minimum (HAM) Authorization of the California State Civil Service Pay Scales. The authorized HAM rate for this classification is: P $30,259, Q $31,136. Recruitment and Retention Bonus may be available for clinicians newly hired with California Correctional Health Care Services. Effective July 1, 2023, employees in this class, employed within the California Correctional Health Care Services, who are physically located at and assigned to direct in-person patient care on grounds or at a facility, shall receive a pay differential equivalent to 15% of their monthly base pay. Only employees who provide direct patient care, treating patients in-person, on grounds, or at a facility more than 50% of the pay period are eligible for this pay differential. Please note: Individuals may be eligible to receive a $10,000 one-time recruitment and retention stipend should they meet the eligibility criteria, including but not limited to remaining employed with CCHCS for six months. Additionally, individuals may be eligible to receive a monthly recruitment and retention differential during their first year with CCHCS (totaling $5,000), should they meet the eligibility criteria.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Psychiatry from an accredited college or university
- Current California Medical Board license to practice medicine
- Completion of approved residency program in psychiatry
- At least two years of experience in a correctional setting
- Knowledge of correctional mental health issues and treatment options
- Ability to communicate effectively with inmates, staff, and families
- Experience with crisis intervention and psychotherapy
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks
- Proficiency in computer systems and software relevant to the job
Benefits
The position offers a competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth. Employees may be eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus should they be selected for hire and remain employed with CCHCS for 90 days. For a CDCR/CCHCS employee to be considered, a questionnaire must be completed to the best of your knowledge, including the referring employee’s name, classification, PERNR, and work location. The questionnaire will be provided to the selected candidate during the pre-employment process.
Pay
The starting salary range for this position is P $30,259 - Q $31,136 per month. The actual salary offered will depend on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
Schedule
The schedule for this position is typically Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend shifts as needed. The exact schedule will be determined during the hiring process.