Critical Care Physician Jobs in California
Critical Care Physician jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated heavily in large academic medical centers, trauma systems, and integrated health networks serving both urban and rural populations, with openings at every level from fellowship-trained new attendings through department directors and medical directors. The largest hiring volumes are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where major systems like Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCSF Health, and Kaiser Permanente maintain sustained demand for intensivists. Pulmonary critical care, surgical critical care, and neurocritical care are the most consistently in-demand subspecialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Physician Assistant (PA) II is a licensed health professional who practices medicine with the supervision of a physician. The PA II has greater than three years of experience as a PA. The PA II is involved in coordination of care, participates in education, and is closely engaged in clinical practice and patient care management. The PA II will function as a leader of our professional team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly and with other healthcare professionals, including but not limited to physicians, pharmacists, office support staff, and other advanced practice providers. Duties may include obtaining patient health histories and complete physical examinations, documenting findings noting pertinent normal and abnormal findings, ordering and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests, counseling patients on preventative care, and ordering medications. The PA II may also be required to perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon patient's clinical status and document patient preparation and response to procedure(s). The Physician Assistant Practice Agreement will govern PA practice. The PA role includes abiding by rules and regulations of medical staff and PA certifying and regulatory bodies.
Essential Duties:
- Is an expert in obtaining detailed and accurate medical histories from patients; Performs appropriate physical examinations, delineates problems, and records the information.
- Develops and implements patient management plans, including the coordination of referrals to specialty and social services, the recording of progress notes and the provision of continuity of care.
- Orders appropriate laboratory, diagnostic and radiographic studies along with indicated procedures. Orders therapies to include PT, OT, ST and Respiratory. Orders consultations with other services and medications.
- Performs and / or interprets common laboratory, radiological, cardio graphic and other routine diagnostic procedures used to identify pathophysiological processes.
- May perform(s) procedures based off privileges approved by medical staff
- Helps with care coordination of the patient with the rest of the team.
- Provides continuity of care in the management of complex illnesses and injuries under the supervision of a physician.
- Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance, especially in the postoperative period; this might also include members of the patient’s family in certain circumstances.
- Facilitates the referral of patients to other health and social service agencies when appropriate.
- Ensures billing for services rendered is completed and accurate.
- Acts as a mentor and/or preceptor to new/student physician assistants within the department or clinic
- Help participate or lead quality initiatives, process improvement projects, or research within the department or clinic
- Performs other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Req Specialized/technical training Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant Program.
- Req 3 years 3+ Years Experience Required
- Req Committed to excellence in patient care and customer service.
- Req Demonstrates ability to effectively work with physicians, staff, and patients.
- Req Organization/time management skills.
- Req Excellent analytical, problem-solving, planning and evaluation skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Required Licenses/Certifications:
- Req Physician Assistant - PA (CA DCA)
- Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
- Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
- Req National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Req Drug Enforcement Administration Current Controlled Substance Course Certificate or obtain within 3 months of hire Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Certificate issued by the US Department of Justice for Schedule II-V controlled substances.
Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital’s world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials. The hourly rate range for this position is $79.04 - $130.42 . When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
The Physician Assistant (PA) II is a licensed health professional who practices medicine with the supervision of a physician. The PA II has greater than three years of experience as a PA. The PA II is involved in coordination of care, participates in education, and is closely engaged in clinical practice and patient care management. The PA II will function as a leader of our professional team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly and with other healthcare professionals, including but not limited to physicians, pharmacists, office support staff, and other advanced practice providers. Duties may include obtaining patient health histories and complete physical examinations, documenting findings noting pertinent normal and abnormal findings, ordering and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests, counseling patients on preventative care, and ordering medications. The PA II may also be required to perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures based upon patient's clinical status and document patient preparation and response to procedure(s). The Physician Assistant Practice Agreement will govern PA practice. The PA role includes abiding by rules and regulations of medical staff and PA certifying and regulatory bodies.
Essential Duties:
- Is an expert in obtaining detailed and accurate medical histories from patients; Performs appropriate physical examinations, delineates problems, and records the information.
- Develops and implements patient management plans, including the coordination of referrals to specialty and social services, the recording of progress notes and the provision of continuity of care.
- Orders appropriate laboratory, diagnostic and radiographic studies along with indicated procedures. Orders therapies to include PT, OT, ST and Respiratory. Orders consultations with other services and medications.
- Performs and / or interprets common laboratory, radiological, cardio graphic and other routine diagnostic procedures used to identify pathophysiological processes.
- May perform(s) procedures based off privileges approved by medical staff
- Helps with care coordination of the patient with the rest of the team.
- Provides continuity of care in the management of complex illnesses and injuries under the supervision of a physician.
- Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance, especially in the postoperative period; this might also include members of the patient’s family in certain circumstances.
- Facilitates the referral of patients to other health and social service agencies when appropriate.
- Ensures billing for services rendered is completed and accurate.
- Acts as a mentor and/or preceptor to new/student physician assistants within the department or clinic
- Help participate or lead quality initiatives, process improvement projects, or research within the department or clinic
- Performs other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Req Specialized/technical training Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant Program.
- Req 3 years 3+ Years Experience Required
- Req Committed to excellence in patient care and customer service.
- Req Demonstrates ability to effectively work with physicians, staff, and patients.
- Req Organization/time management skills.
- Req Excellent analytical, problem-solving, planning and evaluation skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Required Licenses/Certifications:
- Req Physician Assistant - PA (CA DCA)
- Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
- Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
- Req National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Req Drug Enforcement Administration Current Controlled Substance Course Certificate or obtain within 3 months of hire Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Certificate issued by the US Department of Justice for Schedule II-V controlled substances.
Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital’s world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials. The hourly rate range for this position is $79.04 - $130.42 . When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
See All 18 Critical Care Physician Jobs in California
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Find Critical Care Physician JobsCritical Care Physician Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Critical Care Physician Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in critical care physician jobs across California.
- Active California Medical License issued by the Medical Board of California
- Board certification or active board eligibility in Critical Care Medicine
- Completion of an accredited fellowship in Critical Care Medicine or related subspecialty
- Current ACLS, BLS, and ATLS certifications required at time of hire
- Experience with mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring, and critical care protocols
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary ICU team environment
Critical Care Physician Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a critical care physician in California?
To become a critical care physician in California, you must complete medical school, a residency in internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, or pediatrics, and then a fellowship in critical care medicine. After training, you must obtain a California Medical License through the Medical Board of California, which requires passing USMLE Steps and submitting a complete application with verification of training. Board certification in Critical Care Medicine through ABIM, ABS, or an equivalent certifying body is required by nearly all California employers.
How much do critical care physicians make in California?
Critical care physicians in California earn a median of about $281,590 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $80,590 for the lowest 10% to over $431,980 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire critical care physicians in California?
Employers hiring critical care physicians in California right now include Vituity, Sutter Health, and Sound Physicians, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's dense network of Level I trauma centers, university hospitals, and large integrated systems like Kaiser Permanente means demand is distributed broadly rather than concentrated in just one corner of the state.
Which California cities have the most critical care physician jobs?
Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Gilroy have the most critical care physician openings in California. Los Angeles drives the largest volume due to its concentration of academic medical centers and trauma systems, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from major university health systems and Veterans Affairs medical centers that maintain full ICU programs year-round.
Are there remote critical care physician jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Critical care medicine is a hands-on, bedside specialty that requires direct patient management in ICU settings, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of critical care physician openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those tend to involve tele-ICU oversight roles where physicians monitor multiple units off-site rather than managing patients directly at the bedside.
How can I get hired as a critical care physician in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for physicians new to critical care practice is applying directly to large California academic medical centers that hire fellowship-trained attendings without independent attending experience, including UC Health systems and county hospitals such as those within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. These institutions structure their ICU staffing to support new attendings with senior mentorship, structured onboarding, and supervision frameworks. Having California Medical Board licensure in process and active board eligibility in Critical Care Medicine is the credential that moves an application forward fastest.
Where can I find and apply to critical care physician jobs in California?
You can find and apply to critical care physician jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your training, subspecialty, and preferred region, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 18 Critical Care Physician Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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