Locums Psychiatry openings fluctuate daily across CA DSH and Corrections.

Psychiatrists at DSH are typically the attending physician on a 30 to 50 bed inpatient psychiatric unit. Assignments are generally longer term than locums at community hospitals. Patient loads tend to be around 30 patients per provider, and assignments are typically full time with a 4x10 schedule. Some variety in assignments might include admissions units with a faster pace and float assignments with more variety in location and support staff day to day. Some degree of forensic specific skill is desired, or will be acquired, as treatment goals are met for each patient. Openings remain at DSH-Atascadero, in SLO county, to start at $335/hour, for qualified applicants. Immediate payments can be offered at a lower rate up to $325/hour.

Psychiatrists at Correctional facilities may have inpatient or outpatient assignments, and typically the more intense and more remote positions have higher rates. Because the facilities are primarily correctional in nature, credentialing falls on the vendor and the candidate to a greater degree. For the same reason, the assignments are felt by some to be more secure. On the other hand, the four and six month assignments are more subject to change and discontinuation, as the correctional facility's needs may evolve. Due to these factors, time off should generally be scheduled before or after the assignment if at all possible. Offerings across the system range in intensity and reimbursement from $200-365/hour.