Clinical Lead Jobs in California

Clinical Lead jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in health systems, behavioral health, outpatient care, and clinical research across a range of seniority levels from senior clinician stepping into leadership through director-track roles. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, UCSF Health, and Cedars-Sinai maintain deep clinical lead pipelines. The most in-demand specialties are behavioral health program leadership, oncology coordination, and ambulatory care management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles70
Top employerAmerican Heart Association
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring39
Work type67% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 70+ Clinical Lead jobs

Lead Clinical Nurse-RN - Emergency Department - Sharp Coronado Hospital - Days - FT 0.9
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Lead Clinical Nurse-RN - Emergency Department - Sharp Coronado Hospital - Days - FT 0.9
Sharp HealthCare
Coronado, California
Account Management
Business Development
Sales
$74.63 - $107.86/hr
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
10,000+

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Lead Licensed Clinician – Clinical Assessor (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)
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Lead Licensed Clinician – Clinical Assessor (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)
Guillaume Marriage and Family Counseling of California, P.C.
Sacramento, California
Community & Nonprofit Services
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$52 - $64/hr
On-Site
Master's degree in social work

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Lead Clinical Specialist, RN
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Lead Clinical Specialist, RN
Vitalant
San Diego, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$106k - $140k/yr
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
1,001-5,000

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Business Development Lead, Clinical Solutions & Licensing
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Business Development Lead, Clinical Solutions & Licensing
American Heart Association
Oakland, California
Business Strategy
Data Analytics
Data Science
$135k - $145k/yr
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Business Development Lead, Clinical Solutions & Licensing
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Added 3d ago
Business Development Lead, Clinical Solutions & Licensing
American Heart Association
Long Beach, California
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Success
$135k - $145k/yr
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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See All 70 Clinical Lead Jobs in California

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Clinical Lead Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
8 jobs
Redwood City
7 jobs
San Francisco
7 jobs
San Jose
4 jobs
Irvine
3 jobs
Oakland
3 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs
Sacramento
3 jobs
Roseville
2 jobs

Clinical Lead Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • American Heart Association11
  • Revolution Medicines5
  • Sutter Health4
  • Adventist Health2
  • Ethos Veterinary Health2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Education

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical lead jobs across California.

  • Active California clinical license appropriate to discipline, such as RN, LCSW, or MFT
  • Minimum three to five years of direct clinical practice in a relevant specialty area
  • Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating a clinical team
  • Bachelor's degree in nursing, social work, psychology, or a related clinical field
  • Experience with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
  • Strong familiarity with California Department of Public Health regulatory compliance standards

Clinical Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical lead in California?

The path starts with holding an active California clinical license in your discipline, issued by the relevant state board, such as the California Board of Registered Nursing for nurses or the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for social workers and therapists. Most employers expect several years of hands-on clinical practice before moving into a lead role. A bachelor's degree is standard, and leadership experience within a care team, charge role, or supervisory capacity strengthens candidacy significantly.

Which companies hire clinical leads in California?

Employers hiring clinical leads in California right now include American Heart Association, Revolution Medicines, and Sutter Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's density of large integrated health systems, regional medical centers, and specialty behavioral health organizations means consistent demand across both public and private employer types.

Which California cities have the most clinical lead jobs?

Los Angeles, Redwood City, and San Francisco have the most clinical lead openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego concentrate demand around large hospital systems and research institutions, while San Francisco draws heavily from academic medical centers and growing behavioral health networks in the Bay Area.

Are there remote clinical lead jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Clinical lead roles are predominantly on-site because the work involves direct team supervision, patient interaction, and real-time care coordination. About 33% of clinical lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those that do exist tend to focus on care management, utilization review, or clinical program administration rather than hands-on patient care.

How can I get hired as a clinical lead in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving into a charge nurse, senior clinician, or team lead role within a large California health system first, then transitioning into a formal clinical lead title. Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and county-run facilities across California regularly hire for structured new-grad and post-licensure programs that build toward leadership tracks. Candidates without supervisory history can strengthen their profile by completing a California clinical license early, pursuing a certification in their specialty, and seeking out committee or preceptor roles within their current organization.

Where can I find and apply to clinical lead jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical lead jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across health systems, behavioral health organizations, and specialty care employers. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly.

See All 70 Clinical Lead Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Clinical Lead Jobs