Rite of Passage·Escondido, California
Provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and medication management for adolescents in residential treatment programs across California and Hawaii. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and ensure clinical regulatory compliance with DHCS and STRTP standards.
✨ Just want to do clinical work? This role is for you. No admin. No leadership burden. No after-hours call. Just rewarding telehealth medication management with adolescents who genuinely need a skilled child psychiatrist. ✨
Rite of Passage – Adolescent Treatment Centers operates DHCS-approved Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs) in California, serving adolescents ages 12–17 placed by county child welfare agencies and juvenile probation departments. We are expanding our psychiatric care capacity and looking for board-certified or board-eligible Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists who want to focus purely on clinical care — psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and treatment-team consultation — without the administrative, supervisory, or regulatory responsibilities of a Medical Director role.
This role is ideal for psychiatrists running a private practice who want supplemental hours, telehealth-focused practitioners, semi-retired psychiatrists, or recent fellowship graduates who want to focus on patient care without the admin weight.
This is a 1099 independent contractor engagement. The elevated contract rate is calibrated above W-2 equivalents to allow the contractor to fund their own health insurance, retirement, and time off.
The contracted Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist – Medical Director is the senior physician responsible for psychiatric care, psychotropic medication stewardship, and clinical regulatory compliance across ROP's STRTP and adolescent behavioral health programs. Approximately 85% of clinical time supports California operations (Mt. Lassen and Yosemite STRTP campuses); 15% supports Hawaii operations.
Direct Psychiatric Care — Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and crisis consultation for adolescents in California STRTP and Hawaii residential placements.
Child Welfare & Probation Coordination — Care for youth placed by county child welfare agencies (DCFS), juvenile probation departments, and Hawaii Child Welfare Services.
Psychotropic Medication Authorization & Court Coordination — JV-220 completion, court testimony, AIMS and metabolic monitoring, polypharmacy reduction.
Multidisciplinary Team & Child and Family Team Participation — Weekly MDT meetings at each campus; CFT meetings at clinically significant decision points.
Medical Direction — Collaborative supervision of contracted PMHNPs and consulting psychiatrists
STRTP Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance — DHCS MHPA, Title 9 / Title 22 standards, CQI participation, audit and site-visit support.
Staff Training, Consultation & Education — Psychoeducation and clinical training for STRTP staff, nursing, and direct-care teams.
Hawaii Operations (≈15%) — Primarily secure telehealth coverage with initial orientation and approximately annual on-site visits.
MD or DO with ACGME-accredited residency in Psychiatry.
ACGME-accredited fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Active California Medical License (Hawaii license required at hire OR within 90–120 days — ROP provides full support and covers all fees).
Current DEA registration; BLS certification.
Board certification in Psychiatry (ABPN); C&A subspecialty board certification strongly preferred.
Prior experience providing psychiatric care to adolescents in residential, STRTP, PRTF, or inpatient settings.
Apply Today and Make a Difference in the Lives of Youth!
After 41 years of improving the lives of youth, we are looking for passionate clinicians to help us serve the adolescents in our care. Whether you want a few hours per week or a near-full-time clinical commitment, we'd love to talk.
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Rite of Passage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected class.
Requires an MD or DO with an ACGME-accredited residency in Psychiatry and a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Must hold an active California medical license and DEA registration, with a Hawaii license required shortly after hire.
Market context
California continues to show steady demand for Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists, especially in settings serving school-age patients and families with complex behavioral health needs. These roles are competitive because employers typically look for an active California medical license, DEA certification, and ABPN board certification or eligibility, and candidates should review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time versus reading the full posting. Before applying, confirm your licensure and board status are current and align your experience with pediatric and adolescent care.