Psychiatrist checks in, too

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Posted: Friday, January 11, 2008 10:34 AM CST

Robert Mulert

Calaveras County's new staff psychiatrist has been on the job for just over a month, earning him the county government's highest salary.

Dr. Robert Mulert began Dec. 10 with a salary range of $174,948.80 to $212,721.60. At the top range, Mulert's salary is more than Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who pulls in $212,179 a year.

Mulert also makes more than the county administrative officer. Incoming CAO Robert Lawton will start at $160,000 a year, previous CAO Tom Mitchell made $153,108, and interim CAO Brent Harrington was paid $100 an hour ($208,000 a year) for his four-month stint.

But psychiatrists are in short supply nowadays, according to Mulert and Behavioral Health Director Rita Downs. In conjunction with a shortage of available psychiatrists, those who decide to pursue psychiatry as a career are often cherry-picked by the California prison system, which offers salaries that local governments can't match. Starting salaries for staff psychiatrist with the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation range from $19,554 to $22,377 a month ($234,648 to $268,524 a year).

Calaveras' previous staff psychiatrist, Dr. Tom Haspel, left county work for the state prison system six months ago.

For the complete story, see Friday's print edition of the Calaveras Enterprise or our e-Edition.

Comment (3 comment(s))

Becky wrote on Jan 11, 2008 12:44 PM:

" No one seems to mention that this doctor is the best thing for this county. Every article I've seen with Dr. Mulert is focused on his paycheck. I'm sure most doctors make that kind of money. Why don't we take a survey! "

Joni wrote on Jan 11, 2008 6:37 PM:

" Arnold didn't spend as much time in school as Dr. Mulert, so he doesn't deserve as much pay. "

Arnold wrote on Jan 12, 2008 10:04 PM:

" Another catch 22....We need him... for the public to pay that salay we must all be crazy. "

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