Clinical Director Jobs in California
Clinical Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand across hospital systems, behavioral health networks, community health centers, and outpatient specialty groups at every level from program-level director to system-wide clinical executive. The largest concentrations of openings are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and UCLA Health consistently hire clinical directors. The most in-demand specialties include behavioral health, home health and hospice, and population health management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Kaweah Health is a publicly owned, community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia area in central California. With more than 5,000 employees, Kaweah Health provides state-of-the-art medicine and high-quality preventive services in our acute care hospital, specialized health centers and clinics. Our eight-campus healthcare district has 613 beds and offers comprehensive health services across a broad continuum of care.
It takes a special person to work for Kaweah Health. We serve a region where the needs are great, which makes the rewards even greater. Every day, we care for people facing unique challenges and in need of healing. Throughout it all, our focus is to make a difference, and we do — in the health of our patients, our loved ones, and our community.
Benefits Eligible
Full-Time Benefit EligibleWork Shift
Day - 8 Hour or less Shift (United States of America)Department
8741 Nursing Professional Development Leads shared governance and support the organization’s Journey to Magnet Excellence through strategic and operational leadership in nursing practice, quality, and professional development. Advances evidence-based practice, innovation, regulatory compliance, and nursing excellence while aligning initiatives with organizational goals. Drives measurable improvements in patient outcomes, nurse engagement, and professional practice.QUALIFICATIONS
License /Certification
Required:
CA RN license
National leadership board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); NE-BC or NEA-BC within 2 years.
Preferred: Certification in Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC), Quality (CPHQ), or applicable specialty
Education:
Required: BSN
Preferred: MSN, MBA or MHA
Experience:
Required:
Minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in professional nursing practice, quality improvement, or Magnet®/Pathway designation. Experience in leading an Acute Care Hospital to magnet designation. Additional Magnet Designation experience with Mental Health and Rehab Hospitals a plus.
Demonstrated success leading interdisciplinary teams, managing complex projects, and improving nursing and patient care outcomes
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential
Lead Our Journey toward Magnet Excellence
Lead and support the organization’s journey toward Magnet® designation, embedding the Magnet Model and professional practice principles into everyday nursing practice.
Serve as a Magnet coach and resource for nursing leaders and building organizational readiness and accountability.
Guide leaders and teams in developing, implementing, documenting, and sustaining the evidence needed for Magnet appraisal.
Advance Professional Governance & Shared Decision-Making
Lead and strengthen professional governance and shared decision-making structures that empower nurses to influence practice, quality, and outcomes.
Foster a culture where nurses have a meaningful voice in decisions that impact patients, practice, and the profession.
Drive Quality, Safety & Evidence-Based Practice
Lead nursing quality and performance improvement through nursing-sensitive indicators, data-driven decision-making, evidence-based practice, and research.
Connect quality, safety, innovation, and professional practice initiatives to measurable patient and organizational outcomes.
Build Nursing Leadership & Professional Development
Develop leadership and professional advancement programs that strengthen nursing knowledge, leadership capacity, clinical excellence, and lifelong learning.
Collaborate on the development of Clinical Nurse Ladder and other pathways that support professional growth and advancement.
Strengthen Engagement, Recognition & Retention
Lead initiatives that enhance nurse engagement, satisfaction, retention, and the overall practice environment.
Advance recognition programs, including DAISY and Lotus Awards, and celebrate nurses and teams who demonstrate excellence and meaningful impact.
Advance Nursing Innovation & Research
Support and promote nursing-led research, innovation, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement.
Partner with academic institutions and internal stakeholders to advance nursing science and translate evidence into practice.
Measure, Tell & Demonstrate Our Impact
Oversee collection, analysis, and dissemination of nursing data to demonstrate improvements in quality, outcomes, engagement, and professional practice.
Develop compelling reports, stories, and evidence that demonstrate the impact of our nurses and our Magnet journey to leaders, staff, patients, and appraisers.
Ensure Readiness & Organizational Alignment
Ensure alignment with Magnet standards, regulatory requirements, professional practice standards, and organizational priorities.
Lead preparation for Magnet documentation and appraisal activities while building sustainable practices that extend beyond designation.
Steward Resources & Strategic Priorities
Develop and manage resources and budgets that support nursing excellence, professional development, quality improvement, and Magnet priorities.
Partner with nursing and organizational leaders to align initiatives with strategic goals and our collective journey toward Magnet Excellence.
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and services appropriate to the population served on the assigned unit or work area. Knowledgeable of growth and development for all patient/family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age specific needs. Able to effectively communicate and care for patient and family as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.
Pay Range
$82.00 -$123.00If you want to use your talents alongside people who face each day with courage and purpose, in an environment that empowers you to do your absolute best, this is where you belong.
Kaweah Health is a publicly owned, community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia area in central California. With more than 5,000 employees, Kaweah Health provides state-of-the-art medicine and high-quality preventive services in our acute care hospital, specialized health centers and clinics. Our eight-campus healthcare district has 613 beds and offers comprehensive health services across a broad continuum of care.
It takes a special person to work for Kaweah Health. We serve a region where the needs are great, which makes the rewards even greater. Every day, we care for people facing unique challenges and in need of healing. Throughout it all, our focus is to make a difference, and we do — in the health of our patients, our loved ones, and our community.
Benefits Eligible
Full-Time Benefit EligibleWork Shift
Day - 8 Hour or less Shift (United States of America)Department
8741 Nursing Professional Development Leads shared governance and support the organization’s Journey to Magnet Excellence through strategic and operational leadership in nursing practice, quality, and professional development. Advances evidence-based practice, innovation, regulatory compliance, and nursing excellence while aligning initiatives with organizational goals. Drives measurable improvements in patient outcomes, nurse engagement, and professional practice.QUALIFICATIONS
License /Certification
Required:
CA RN license
National leadership board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); NE-BC or NEA-BC within 2 years.
Preferred: Certification in Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC), Quality (CPHQ), or applicable specialty
Education:
Required: BSN
Preferred: MSN, MBA or MHA
Experience:
Required:
Minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in professional nursing practice, quality improvement, or Magnet®/Pathway designation. Experience in leading an Acute Care Hospital to magnet designation. Additional Magnet Designation experience with Mental Health and Rehab Hospitals a plus.
Demonstrated success leading interdisciplinary teams, managing complex projects, and improving nursing and patient care outcomes
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential
Lead Our Journey toward Magnet Excellence
Lead and support the organization’s journey toward Magnet® designation, embedding the Magnet Model and professional practice principles into everyday nursing practice.
Serve as a Magnet coach and resource for nursing leaders and building organizational readiness and accountability.
Guide leaders and teams in developing, implementing, documenting, and sustaining the evidence needed for Magnet appraisal.
Advance Professional Governance & Shared Decision-Making
Lead and strengthen professional governance and shared decision-making structures that empower nurses to influence practice, quality, and outcomes.
Foster a culture where nurses have a meaningful voice in decisions that impact patients, practice, and the profession.
Drive Quality, Safety & Evidence-Based Practice
Lead nursing quality and performance improvement through nursing-sensitive indicators, data-driven decision-making, evidence-based practice, and research.
Connect quality, safety, innovation, and professional practice initiatives to measurable patient and organizational outcomes.
Build Nursing Leadership & Professional Development
Develop leadership and professional advancement programs that strengthen nursing knowledge, leadership capacity, clinical excellence, and lifelong learning.
Collaborate on the development of Clinical Nurse Ladder and other pathways that support professional growth and advancement.
Strengthen Engagement, Recognition & Retention
Lead initiatives that enhance nurse engagement, satisfaction, retention, and the overall practice environment.
Advance recognition programs, including DAISY and Lotus Awards, and celebrate nurses and teams who demonstrate excellence and meaningful impact.
Advance Nursing Innovation & Research
Support and promote nursing-led research, innovation, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement.
Partner with academic institutions and internal stakeholders to advance nursing science and translate evidence into practice.
Measure, Tell & Demonstrate Our Impact
Oversee collection, analysis, and dissemination of nursing data to demonstrate improvements in quality, outcomes, engagement, and professional practice.
Develop compelling reports, stories, and evidence that demonstrate the impact of our nurses and our Magnet journey to leaders, staff, patients, and appraisers.
Ensure Readiness & Organizational Alignment
Ensure alignment with Magnet standards, regulatory requirements, professional practice standards, and organizational priorities.
Lead preparation for Magnet documentation and appraisal activities while building sustainable practices that extend beyond designation.
Steward Resources & Strategic Priorities
Develop and manage resources and budgets that support nursing excellence, professional development, quality improvement, and Magnet priorities.
Partner with nursing and organizational leaders to align initiatives with strategic goals and our collective journey toward Magnet Excellence.
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and services appropriate to the population served on the assigned unit or work area. Knowledgeable of growth and development for all patient/family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age specific needs. Able to effectively communicate and care for patient and family as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.
Pay Range
$82.00 -$123.00If you want to use your talents alongside people who face each day with courage and purpose, in an environment that empowers you to do your absolute best, this is where you belong.
See All 299+ Clinical Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Clinical Director JobsClinical Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Revolution Medicines27
- AbbVie13
- Gilead Sciences11
- Exelixis8
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals25
- Healthcare & Medical Services5
- Medical Devices2
- Insurance1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical director jobs across California.
- Active California clinical license relevant to the candidate's discipline (e.g. RN, LCSW, MFT)
- Master's degree or higher in a clinical, health administration, or public health field
- Minimum five years of direct clinical practice experience in a relevant specialty
- At least two years of supervisory or management experience leading clinical staff
- Demonstrated knowledge of California Department of Public Health and DHCS regulations
- Experience with Joint Commission accreditation, quality improvement, or compliance programs
Clinical Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical director in California?
Most clinical directors in California hold an active state-issued license in their clinical discipline, such as a Registered Nurse license through the California Board of Registered Nursing, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, or a Marriage and Family Therapist license from the same board. Employers typically expect a master's degree or higher, several years of direct clinical practice, and prior supervisory responsibility before considering candidates for a director-level role.
Which companies hire clinical directors in California?
Employers hiring clinical directors in California right now include Revolution Medicines, AbbVie, and Gilead Sciences, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's large integrated health systems, regional behavioral health organizations, and federally qualified health centers generate the most consistent director-level demand across the state.
Which California cities have the most clinical director jobs?
San Diego, San Francisco, and Redwood City have the most clinical director openings in California. Los Angeles drives volume through its concentration of large hospital systems and county health programs, San Francisco reflects the dense network of academic medical centers and health-tech-adjacent care organizations in the Bay Area, and San Diego's strong military health, biotech, and community health presence creates consistent director-level demand outside the two largest metros.
Are there remote clinical director jobs in California?
Yes, but they are limited. Most clinical director roles require on-site oversight of staff, patients, or facilities, which restricts full remote work. About 59% of clinical director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and the positions most likely to offer flexibility are those focused on utilization management, telehealth program leadership, or population health strategy rather than direct facility or team supervision.
How can I get hired as a clinical director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a charge nurse, clinical supervisor, or program coordinator role first, then building toward director-level responsibility. Large California employers such as Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health run formal leadership development programs and internal promotion tracks that advance high-performing clinical staff into management. Pursuing a California clinical license in your discipline, completing a master's program, and taking on quality improvement or compliance projects while in a frontline role strengthens a director candidacy considerably.
Where can I find and apply to clinical director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to clinical director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your discipline, experience level, and preferred location, and apply directly to the listings that fit.
See All 299+ Clinical Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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