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Psychiatric Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Staff Psychiatrist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$268K - $334K/yr

... assistants, registered nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. Medical specialists from various ... Knowledge of current psychiatric diagnosis and treatment principles relating to general practice ...

Staff Psychiatrist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$268K - $334K/yr

... assistants, registered nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. Medical specialists from various ... Knowledge of current psychiatric diagnosis and treatment principles relating to general practice ...

Staff Psychiatrist, 80%

Irvine, CA · On-site

$268K - $334K/yr

... assistants, registered nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. Medical specialists from various ... Knowledge of current psychiatric diagnosis and treatment principles relating to general practice ...

... assistant shall receive a licensure differential $1.60 for each hour such licensure is required ... Conducting psychiatric evaluations on inmates referred for examination and treatment

Psychiatrist - Irvine, CA

Irvine, CA · On-site

$300K - $330K/yr

Our rapidly expanding, nationally recognized cancer institute is seeking to hire a full-time Psychiatrist at the Assistant, Associate or Professor level to join our clinical faculty at City of Hope ...

Psychiatrist - CHS

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$320K - $348K/yr

... assistant shall receive a licensure differential $1.60 for each hour such licensure is required ... Conducting psychiatric evaluations on inmates referred for examination and treatment

Showing results 41-60

Psychiatric Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$12

$23

$35

How much do psychiatric assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for psychiatric assistant in Riverside, CA is $23.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.08 and $27.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a psychiatric assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Psychiatric Assistant, you need foundational knowledge of mental health care, basic patient care skills, and at least a high school diploma or equivalent, with some employers preferring relevant certifications or coursework. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), crisis intervention techniques, and safety protocols is typically required. Patience, strong observational abilities, and effective interpersonal communication help build rapport with patients and support clinical staff. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining a safe, supportive environment and delivering effective care to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

What is a psychiatric assistant?

Psychiatric assistants are healthcare professionals who support nurses and doctors in caring for patients with mental health conditions. They assist with daily living activities, help maintain a safe environment, observe and report patient behavior, and may participate in therapeutic activities. Psychiatric assistants typically work in hospitals, mental health facilities, or residential treatment centers, playing a key role in supporting patients' emotional and physical well-being.

What does a psychiatric assistant do?

As a psychiatric assistant, your responsibilities involve supporting people with mental health issues at a mental health care facility. You provide basic medical care by monitoring vital signs and dispensing medications. Your duties include assisting patients with bathing, dressing, and eating. You aid in facility management by keeping patient rooms and common areas clean and safe. Finally, you work with the clinical staff to help patients learn coping and life skills through educational and recreational programs and provide transportation to and from group activities. Job qualifications include an interest in social work or psychology and a desire to help others.

What is the difference between Psychiatric Assistant vs Mental Health Technician?

AspectPsychiatric AssistantMental Health Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certificationHigh school diploma or equivalent; certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentHospitals, mental health clinics, psychiatric unitsHospitals, residential facilities, community mental health centers
Job DutiesAssist patients with daily activities, monitor behavior, support treatment plansAssist with patient care, observe and report patient progress, support therapeutic activities

Both Psychiatric Assistants and Mental Health Technicians work in mental health settings, providing patient support and care. While their roles overlap in assisting with daily activities and monitoring patients, Psychiatric Assistants often focus more on basic care and support, whereas Mental Health Technicians may have additional responsibilities in observing and reporting patient progress. Both roles typically require similar credentials and are employed in similar environments.

How many years to be a psychiatric assistant?

Becoming a psychiatric assistant typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions preferring post-secondary education or certification in mental health or healthcare. Most employers do not specify a set number of years of experience but may require on-the-job training or relevant coursework; the role often involves supervised work under licensed professionals. Certification or training programs can range from a few months to a year, depending on the requirements of the employer and state regulations.

What are some common challenges psychiatric assistants face when working with patients, and how can they be addressed?

Psychiatric assistants often encounter challenges such as managing unpredictable patient behaviors, de-escalating tense situations, and maintaining personal boundaries while providing compassionate care. These challenges can be addressed through thorough training in crisis intervention, strong communication skills, and regular team debriefings to share strategies and support. Building rapport with patients and collaborating closely with nurses, therapists, and other mental health professionals also helps create a safer, more supportive environment for everyone involved.

What are the most commonly searched types of Psychiatric jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Psychiatric jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Psychiatric Assistant jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Psychiatric Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Psychiatric Assistant job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,308 per year, or $23.2 per hour.

$268K - $334K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


University Of California Irvine rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

The UC Irvine Student Health Center is a comprehensive outpatient clinic staffed with licensed primary care physicians, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, dentists, physician assistants, registered nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. Medical specialists from various disciplines including dermatology, orthopedics/sports medicine, gynecology, internal medicine, and ENT provide on-site consultation on a regular basis. Student Health also offers basic radiology and clinical laboratory services, insurance consultation, and an on-site pharmacy, making SHC a comprehensive and convenient clinic dedicated to serving students.

Your Role on the Team

The Staff Psychiatrist provides direct, outpatient, ambulatory patient care including psychiatric consultations and facilitating hospitalizations. This position is responsible for assuring continuous and ongoing quality, accessibility and safety of mental health services to the patients, and is responsible for promptly reporting to the Chief of Psychiatry all issues, which may impact patient care and safety. This position is also responsible for providing professional consultation to other Student Health Center clinicians, to Student Affairs, to academic, professional and department advisors, and to staff of other campus departments on mental health issues and emergencies.

What It Takes to be Successful

Required:

  • Knowledge of current psychiatric diagnosis and treatment principles relating to general practice, and specifically to the college/university population. Knowledge of HIPAA, FERPA, CMIA and patient privacy issues pertaining to the delivery of health care especially in mental health. Knowledge of standard of psychiatric care in the greater community. Skills in diagnostic evaluation. Sensitivity to issues relating to all forms of diversity including but not limited to culture, sexual orientation, gender, and socioeconomic status. Knowledge of issues of special importance to youth groups and college age adults, including drug and alcohol use, eating disorders, chemical dependency and abuse, ADHD, LD, etc. Awareness of developmental issues as they relate to young adults transitioning into new living environments. Knowledge of accreditation requirements relating to psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, record-keeping, and electronic medical records.
  • Must be a graduate of an accredited medical school and completion of Psychiatry Residency at an ACGME accredited program.
  • Must hold a current license to practice medicine in the State of California.
  • Must hold Board Certification in Psychiatry.
  • Maintains an active and current Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certification.


Preferred:

  • Ability to work in systems-of-care model. Strong knowledge of early adolescent and transitional age youth / emerging adult population psychiatric treatment. Prior experience working professionally with emotional, psychological or psychiatric issues among young adults. especially college students, strongly preferred.
  • Knowledge of Electronic Medical Record system.
  • 3-5 years Direct patient care experience after completing accredited residency training in medicine.


Special Conditions:

  • This position's schedule is M-F and during traditional work hours, however, weekend or non-traditional work hours may be required for special projects or busy times of the year, or when strict deadlines must be met. In the case of extended hours, this position may be required to work those hours.
  • Employment in this position is contingent upon successful completion of a Department of Justice (DOJ) Live Scan background check, verification and continued monitoring or licensure as it applies to the position, and successful completion of our background review or credentialing process, as appropriate to the position.
  • The employee must comply with OSHA, CA/OSHA, and CDC recommendations and requirements regarding vaccination and testing of healthcare employees. This includes, but may not be limited to; current hepatitis B immunizations, annual flu vaccinations, and annual tuberculosis screening. The employee must comply with CDPH and UC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, by providing proof of Full Vaccination or submitting a request for Exception.
  • Per the UC Ethics Briefing, the employee is responsible for reporting any and all potential conflicts of interest to their supervisor in a timely manner.

Total Compensation

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

This position is fully onsite with possible 1 day of remote work after a six month probationary period.


The expected pay range for this recruitment is $184,548.00- $283,920.00 (Annual).
Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

  • Background Check and Live Scan
  • Employment Misconduct*
  • Legal Right to work in the United States
  • Vaccination Policies
  • Smoking and Tobacco Policy
  • Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

  • California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
  • E-Verify
  • Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php


Closing Statement:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.

Consideration for Work Authorization Sponsorship
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization

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