Cottage Health·Santa Barbara, California
Provide time-limited psychiatric evaluation and treatment for children and adolescents to establish accurate diagnoses and medication regimens. Transition stable patients back to primary care providers to expand community access to specialty care.
Join a mission-driven team dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of children, adolescents, and families throughout Santa Barbara County. As a Community Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, you will provide time-limited psychiatric evaluation and treatment for children and adolescents, focusing on establishing an accurate diagnosis and an effective, well-tolerated medication and/or treatment regimen within a defined course of care. Once the patient is clinically stable, transition ongoing management back to the patient's primary care provider, with clear guidelines for monitoring and criteria for re-referral if symptoms recur or treatment adjustments are needed. This consultative, hand-off-oriented approach preserves psychiatrist capacity to accept new patients promptly, reducing wait times and expanding access to specialty psychiatric care across the community.
Level of education
Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO) required.
Board Certified in the physician's associated specialty required.
Certifications, licenses, registrations
Physician's unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of California required. Must meet all requirements for membership and unrestricted clinical privileges of the Cottage Health Medical Staff.
State of California DEA license required.
Successful completion of specialty fellowship is preferred.
Technical requirements
Strong understanding of examination methodologies and diagnostics.
Broad knowledge of common medication, side effects, and contraindications required.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
Collaborative in identifying and supporting operational improvements that will facilitate a better clinical care environment.
Escalates issues and engages other members of the care team or administrative support or leadership, when needed. Respect for patient’s confidentiality. Compassionate and approachable. Responsible and trustworthy.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education.
Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, CA, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system.
Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion.
Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first.
We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.
Cottage Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Cottage Health applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, transgender, gender expression and identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status or any other classification protected by law.
This policy applies to all aspects of the relationship between Cottage Health and an applicant or employee.
Cottage Health is committed to upholding discrimination-free hiring practices.
We strive to cultivate an environment where exceptional people bring diverse perspectives and find belonging, support and connection to their work.
Any Cottage Health applicants who require assistance or reasonable accommodations during the application process may request the need for accommodation with the Recruiter.
*Pay for non-physician positions is determined based on related years of experience and internal equity.
Eligible employees may also receive additional forms of compensation, including shift differentials, on-call pay, incentive pay, and bonus opportunities, where applicable.
Manager and above positions may participate in Cottage Health’s annual management incentive program.
Physician compensation is determined based upon specialty and may include bonus potential.
For more information on our comprehensive Total Rewards offerings, please visit https://cottagehealth.org/careers/total-rewards [https://cottagehealth.org/careers/total-rewards].
If you're already a Cottage Health employee, please apply on this link [https://eglz.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/fndSetup/faces/deeplink?objType=IRC_RECRUITING&action=ICE_JOB_SEARCH_RESP] only.
Requires an MD or DO degree, board certification in the specialty, and an unrestricted California medical license and DEA license. Proven clinical experience as a physician is required, with a specialty fellowship preferred.
Market context
In California, physician openings are typically driven by ongoing demand across large health systems, outpatient groups, and specialty practices, with competition shaped by board eligibility, licensure, and specialty fit. For this role category, candidates are often compared on clinical experience, communication skills, and readiness to work within team-based care. The job requirements and benefits on this platform are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving candidates research time. Review the CPT and BLS requirements carefully and confirm your experience aligns with the listed laboratory and acute-care expectations before applying.