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CHOC
Orange, California

Pediatric Psychologist, CHOC at Mission

PsychologistNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$116k-$191k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, benefits and time off.

Posted 37m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Work Location: Mission Viejo, California

Work Shift

Day – 08hrs (United States of America)

Why CHOC?

At CHOC, we strive to be the leading destination of children’s health by providing exceptional and innovative care. We are responsible for the overall health of our community’s pediatric population in our hospitals, clinics, and practices.

And because of our breadth of care, your career at CHOC can be as diverse and fulfilling as you determine. CHOC’s compensation structure, benefits offerings, and career development programs are geared to helping you achieve your professional and personal goals. Apply now to see where your career at CHOC can take you.

Environmental Sustainability Statement

Driven by the connection between children's health and a healthy environment, we commit to creating a healthcare model that incorporates environmental sustainability aligned with our mission to protect children's health and patient safety.

Job Summary

The Pediatric Psychologist provides a full range of mental health services to patients and their families. Duties may include diagnostic and psychological assessment, intervention, treatment planning, consultation, crisis intervention, case management, and discharge planning.

Maintain the highest standards of safety, ethical practice, and respect for diversity throughout service provision.

As a Pediatric Psychologists are expected to lead, facilitate, and/or participate in program, policy, and procedure development, service planning, staff development, quality improvement and evaluation, and/or research activities as identified by the needs of the service area(s).

This position also includes clinical supervision, oversight, and teaching to doctoral level psychology practicum students, interns, psychology fellows, or unlicensed psychological staff as directed.

Pay Range

Minimum $115,606 Midpoint $153,150 Maximum $190,736

Rate of pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to knowledge, skills, competencies, experience, education, as well as position requirements.

Experience

  • Required: Master’s degree (or admission to doctoral candidacy) in clinical, school, or counseling psychology. Three (3) years of post-Master’s degree of relevant clinical mental health experience. Minimum one (1) years of clinical experience in psychology at the post-doctoral level. Minimum one (1) year of mental health experience working with children and families.
  • Preferred: Three (3) years of post-Master’s degree of relevant clinical mental health experience working with children, adolescents, and/or families. Three (3) years of post-Master’s degree of relevant clinical mental health experience working in a healthcare setting. One (1) year of experience supervising psychology practicum students, interns, or post-doctoral fellows.

Education

  • Required:

Doctorate degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) from APA accredited doctoral program in clinical, school or counseling psychology.

Foundational coursework and training in the administration of psychological testing and interpretation of testing results to assist with mental health diagnosis and treatment planning.

Foundational coursework and knowledge of psychological research methods.

Foundational coursework, knowledge, and application of evidence-based psychological treatment methods.

Foundational coursework and knowledge of diversity and multicultural issues impacting mental health.

Preferred

APA accredited internship with emphasis/specialization in pediatric psychology.

Certification(s) in relevant child-focused evidence-based treatment modalities

Training

Required

Completion of one-year APA accredited doctoral clinical internship.

Completion of one-year clinical postdoctoral fellowship.

  • Preferred:

Completion of one-year of APA accredited doctoral internship with emphasis/specialization in pediatric/health psychology.

Completion of one-year clinical postdoctoral fellowship with emphasis in child/pediatric/health psychology.

Eligibility for and preparation to seek board certification in clinical and/or health psychology.

Board certification in Clinical and/or Health psychology.

Specialized Skills

  • Required:

Demonstrated competencies in the 9 Profession-Wide Core Competencies of APA accredited Doctoral Programs and Internship Programs as indicated by successful completion of these programs:

Intervention

Ethical and legal standards

Individual and cultural diversity

Professional values, attitudes, and behaviors

Communication and interpersonal skills

Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills

Supervision

Assessment

Research

Broad knowledge of quality, patient safety, performance improvement, regulatory requirements, medical staff structure, peer review and legal aspects of care. Ability to relate and communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others; provide leadership; be assertive and consistent in enforcing policies; respond courteously when under pressure. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal relationship and collaboration skills.

Ability to relate and communicate positively and effectively in person, in writing, and on the telephone, think critically; work independently; manage multiple assignments; compose written material; work well under pressure; problem solve; organize and prioritize workload; pay close attention to detail. Work calmly and respond courteously when under pressure; lead, supervise, teach, and collaborate.

Preferred

Bi-lingual in Spanish of other threshold language.

LPS Certification.

Licensure

  • Required:

Psychology License: must have psychology license prior to start date, if psychology license is out of state (not California) and must convert to a California psychology license within 6 months of hire date

Work Environments - Functional Demand

Sedentary - Very light energy level Lift 10 lbs. box overhead. Lift and carry 15 lbs. Push/pull 20 lbs. cart.

Physical Activity Requirements

Bending, Carry Objects, Climbing, Keyboard use/repetitive motion, Pinching/fine motor activities, Push/Pull, Reaching forward, Reaching overhead, Sitting, Squat/kneel/crawl (Squad & Knee), Standing, Talk or hear, Taste or smell, Twisting, Walking, Wrist position deviation

Physical Activity Lifting

Lifting (Floor to waist level) - Constant 67 or more%, Lifting (Floor to waist level) - Frequent 36-66%, Lifting (Floor to waist level) - Occasional 0-35%, Lifting (Waist level and above) - Constant 67 or more%, Lifting (Waist level and above) - Frequent 36-66%, Lifting (Waist level and above) - Occasional 0-35%

Sensory Requirements

Color Discrimination, Depth Perception, Far Vision, Hearing, Near Vision

Environment Requirements

Airborn Communicable Disease, Bloodborne Pathogens, Chemical, Dust Particular Matter, Extreme Noise Levels, Extreme Temperatures, Radiation, Uneven Surfaces or Elevations

Non-Discrimination Statement

CHOC does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, genetic information, disability, sex, gender (including pregnancy, breastfeeding, childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, medical condition, sexual orientation, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or other protected characteristics in accordance with state and federal laws.

We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply for positions at CHOC, even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the listed qualifications for a particular role, as your unique experience may be a great addition to our culture for another one of our opportunities.

If you desire support or accommodations throughout the Talent Acquisition process, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner.

Key Responsibilities

The Pediatric Psychologist provides comprehensive mental health services including diagnostic assessment, intervention, and treatment planning for patients and their families. The role also involves clinical supervision of trainees, participation in program development, and ensuring adherence to safety and ethical standards.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Doctorate degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) from an APA-accredited program and possess a valid psychology license. The position requires at least three years of post-Master’s clinical experience and one year of post-doctoral clinical experience in a pediatric or mental health setting.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Interdisciplinary collaborationMulticultural competence

Pediatrics — Psychologist Career Context

Of the 50 active Pediatrics listings this role was benchmarked against, 36% are remote, 40% have no call, 56% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$153k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $138k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Psychologist Jobs

37 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution37 jobs · 20 employers

8
<$140k
9
$140k-160k
6
$160k-180k
13
$180k-200k
1
$235k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks34 jobs · 20 employers

401k / retirement match
94%
CME allowance
53%
Sign-on bonus
21%
Loan repayment
21%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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$109k-$235k
#2

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#3

Clinical Psychologist / Neuropsychologist/Outpatient Clinic/Full-Time Employment/Palm Harbor

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#4

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+ 35 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 5.1
Better work-life than 30% of Pediatrics (Psychologist) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 68 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
  • On-site

Living in Orange

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.05M≈ 9.1× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,116/mo≈ 32% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.