Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs in California
Orthopedic Physician Assistant jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated across large health systems, orthopedic surgery centers, and sports medicine practices, with openings at every level from new graduate through senior clinical roles. The heaviest hiring activity is in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where established employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai, and UCSF Health maintain ongoing orthopedic programs. The most in-demand specialties in California are joint reconstruction, sports medicine, and spine surgery. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 31+ Orthopedic Physician Assistant jobs
POSITION SUMMARY: The Orthopedic Sports Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) plays a key clinical role in supporting our sports medicine physician and delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in the outpatient setting. Working closely with the orthopedic and trauma teams, the PA provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and ongoing management of patients with orthopedic and sports-related conditions. This position is integral to ensuring seamless coordination and continuity of care throughout the patient’s treatment journey.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - CLINICAL CARE
- Perform comprehensive patient evaluations, including histories, physical exams, and diagnostic assessments.
- Manage pre-operative and post-operative care.
- Provide fracture management, joint aspirations/injections, and wound care.
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests and formulate treatment plans.
- Document all encounters in the EHR.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – CARE COORDINATION
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Coordinate pre-surgical clearances
- Provide patient and family education.
- Communicate effectively to ensure efficient patient flow.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Graduate of an accredited PA program.
- Current California PA license.
- NCCPA certification.
- Orthopedic or trauma surgery experience preferred.
- DEA license (or ability to obtain).
- Current BLS and ACLS certification.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Strong surgical first-assist skills.
- Excellent clinical judgment.
- Effective interpersonal communication.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to manage high-acuity situations.
- Proficiency with EHR systems.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & SCHEDULE
- Office-based clinic support.
- May require evening, weekend, or holiday call.
- Fast-paced office environment requiring flexibility.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to stand for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and transport patients.
- Manual dexterity for office procedures.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Competitive salary.
- PTO and CME allowance.
- Malpractice coverage provided.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Schedule:
Monday & Tuesday: 8:30am-3:30pm
Friday: 8:30am-12:30pm
PAY RANGE: $80.00/ hour
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Orthopedic Sports Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) plays a key clinical role in supporting our sports medicine physician and delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in the outpatient setting. Working closely with the orthopedic and trauma teams, the PA provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and ongoing management of patients with orthopedic and sports-related conditions. This position is integral to ensuring seamless coordination and continuity of care throughout the patient’s treatment journey.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - CLINICAL CARE
- Perform comprehensive patient evaluations, including histories, physical exams, and diagnostic assessments.
- Manage pre-operative and post-operative care.
- Provide fracture management, joint aspirations/injections, and wound care.
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests and formulate treatment plans.
- Document all encounters in the EHR.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – CARE COORDINATION
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Coordinate pre-surgical clearances
- Provide patient and family education.
- Communicate effectively to ensure efficient patient flow.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Graduate of an accredited PA program.
- Current California PA license.
- NCCPA certification.
- Orthopedic or trauma surgery experience preferred.
- DEA license (or ability to obtain).
- Current BLS and ACLS certification.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Strong surgical first-assist skills.
- Excellent clinical judgment.
- Effective interpersonal communication.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to manage high-acuity situations.
- Proficiency with EHR systems.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & SCHEDULE
- Office-based clinic support.
- May require evening, weekend, or holiday call.
- Fast-paced office environment requiring flexibility.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to stand for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and transport patients.
- Manual dexterity for office procedures.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Competitive salary.
- PTO and CME allowance.
- Malpractice coverage provided.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Schedule:
Monday & Tuesday: 8:30am-3:30pm
Friday: 8:30am-12:30pm
PAY RANGE: $80.00/ hour
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 31 Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs in California
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Find JobsOrthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sutter Health21
- 77 Consultants37
- MDpanel1
- Concentra1
- SAC Health1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in orthopedic physician assistant jobs across California.
- Active California Physician Assistant license issued by the Physician Assistant Board of California
- National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants NCCPA certification required or eligible
- Graduate degree from an accredited physician assistant program recognized for California licensure
- Minimum one to two years of orthopedic or surgical PA clinical experience preferred
- Proficiency in first assist surgical procedures, casting, and musculoskeletal injections
- Current BLS and ACLS certification required by most California hospital systems and surgery centers
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a orthopedic physician assistant in California?
To work as an orthopedic physician assistant in California, you must hold an active license issued by the Physician Assistant Board of California, which requires completing an accredited master's-level PA program and passing the NCCPA PANCE examination. After licensure, California PAs must practice under a physician supervision agreement filed with their employer. Gaining clinical rotations or residency experience in orthopedic or surgical settings during your PA program strengthens your path into the specialty.
How much do orthopedic physician assistants make in California?
Orthopedic physician assistants in California earn a median of about $165,650 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $99,380 for the lowest 10% to over $225,190 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire orthopedic physician assistants in California?
Employers hiring orthopedic physician assistants in California right now include Sutter Health, 77 Consultants, and MDpanel, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of large academic medical centers, integrated health systems, and independent orthopedic surgery groups creates consistent demand across the state year-round.
Which California cities have the most orthopedic physician assistant jobs?
The cities with the most orthopedic physician assistant openings in California are Sacramento, Davis, and Folsom. Los Angeles and San Diego drive volume through their large hospital networks and high-traffic sports medicine programs, while the Bay Area's concentration of academic medical centers and well-funded orthopedic practices sustains steady hiring in markets that might otherwise seem smaller than their listing numbers suggest.
Are there remote orthopedic physician assistant jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Orthopedic physician assistant work is inherently hands-on, requiring direct patient examination, surgical assist, and procedural care that cannot be performed remotely. About 11% of orthopedic physician assistant openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve utilization review, prior authorization support, or telemedicine triage rather than direct orthopedic clinical care.
How can I get hired as a orthopedic physician assistant in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a new-graduate orthopedic or surgical PA residency, with programs available through institutions such as Cedars-Sinai and Kaiser Permanente in California that are designed for PAs who have not yet practiced independently in the specialty. Lateral entry from emergency medicine, urgent care, or primary care PA roles is also common, particularly at orthopedic urgent care centers and sports medicine clinics. Completing orthopedic rotations during your PA program and obtaining Basic X-Ray Supervisor and Operator certification from the California Department of Public Health strengthens a new-graduate application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to orthopedic physician assistant jobs in California?
You can find and apply to orthopedic physician assistant jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialty interest and apply directly to each one.
See All 31 Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs in California
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