Salary : $120,785.60 - $322,400.00 Annually
Location : Cherokee - 51012 - Cherokee County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00659
Agency: 400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP
Point of Contact:
To Apply: To be considered Please send resume and cover letter to Brad Wittrock, [email protected].

Job Description
This is a non-merit position with the Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, is seeking a dedicated full-time or part-time Forensic Psychiatrist to support the mission of the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI). If you're passionate about providing high-quality psychiatric care and enjoy working in a collaborative, supportive environment, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role and Incentives

We are open to a filling this position as a full-time or part-time position with rotating on-call responsibilities and a hybrid work schedule. We also offer relocation assistance and on-site housing in a single-family home for a candidate that is relocating! Salary is commensurate with experience.

You begin enjoying many of our benefits on day one! As a full-time employee, you could qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness after you've made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an , and while working full-time for an

As a Forensic Psychiatrist at CMHI, you will:
• Provide psychiatric and medical care through consultation, supervision, and partnership with mid-level providers such as Physician Associates and Nurse Practitioners.
• Develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs.
• Prepare psychiatric and forensic evaluations for court submission in compliance with statutory deadlines.
• Prescribe medications and determine when referrals to other providers or services are appropriate.
• Document treatment and services through timely medical reporting.
• Offer education, training, or conference instruction in psychiatry and general medicine.
• Work with medical school graduates through CMHI's psychiatric internship program.

About CMHI

Cherokee Mental Health Institute provides active inpatient treatment for adults needing acute psychiatric care. The facility offers individualized treatment plans, educational support services, therapeutic activities, medication management, and opportunities for patients to collaborate in shaping their own recovery.

Learn more about CMHI: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-carefacilities/cherokee-mental-health-institute

Benefits for our Full-Time Employees

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

Part-Time Employees working 20-29 hours per week receive many of the same benefits at a prorated amount.

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Cherokee Highlights

CMHI is located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa. Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well-developed park and trails system. In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951. Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the "best kept secret in Northwest Iowa."

Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College. This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha. Check out these .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of medicine, completion of an internship program and licensure as a physician by the State of Iowa.

For additional information, please click on this .