
✨ Join a team of passionate advocates on our mission to improve the lives of at-risk youth! Rite of Passage – Adolescent Treatment Centers is hiring a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist to serve as Medical Director across our California Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) campuses and Hawaii adolescent behavioral health operations. ✨
ROP–ATCS operates DHCS-approved STRTPs serving adolescents placed by county child welfare agencies, juvenile probation departments, and county Mental Health Plans. Our youth — ages 12–17 and Non-Minor Dependents up to 21 — present with complex trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic-spectrum conditions, substance use co-occurrence, and significant histories of abuse and neglect.
This role is primarily telehealth, with initial on-site orientation visits and approximately annual visits thereafter. It is a 1099 independent contractor engagement, structured to comply with California's Corporate Practice of Medicine doctrine.
★ Don't have a Hawaii Medical License Yet? No Problem.
ROP fully supports qualified California-licensed candidates in obtaining their Hawaii Medical License — application fees, credentialing, and Hawaii Controlled Substance Registration all covered, with end-to-end support from our credentialing team. Start in California while pursuing Hawaii licensure within 90–120 days of hire.
What You Will Do:
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.
To Be Considered, You Should Have:
• 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.
• Working knowledge of California JV-220 / psychotropic medication authorization process strongly preferred.
• Ability to pass criminal background check (CA Live Scan + HI Criminal History), drug screen, physical, and TB clearance.
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.

At Rite of Passage, improving lives has been our guiding mission since our organization was established in 1984. We are passionate youth advocates committed to empowering the next generation by giving them the tools, skills, and support they need to thrive. As a leading national provider of youth services, we implement evidence-based, trauma-responsive, and innovative programs as unique as the individuals we serve.
Our organization is committed to working in partnership with youth, families, and communities, and we are proud to provide creative solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the individuals in our care.