Physician Assistant Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
Physician assistant jobs in Palo Alto are in strong demand, concentrated along El Camino Real, the Stanford Research Park corridor, and the California Avenue district, with the heaviest hiring in academic medicine, specialty care, and hospital systems. Employers actively filling roles include Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Stanford Health Care, and Sutter Health. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Physician Assistant jobs
If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered.
Day - 12 Hour (United States of America) The Lead Advanced Practice Provider provides supervision and management of advanced practice providers (APPs) in a distinct clincial service line. The Lead APP provides clinical direction and education, works closely with operational and physician leaders, and has oversight of hiring, termination, and professional growth and development of their APPs. The Lead APP also functions under the general Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or the Physician Assistant (PA) Job Description approved by the Interdisciplinary Practice Committee (IDPC).
Essential Functions
The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.
Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility entailed.
- Employees must abide by all Joint Commission requirements including, but not limited to, sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patients' rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environemnts, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participiation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety goals, and licensure and health screenings.
- Employees must perform all duties and responsibilties in accordance with the C-I-CARE standards of the Hospital. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford's patient-experience and represents a farmework for patient-centered interaction.
- The essential functions of a Lead Advanced Practice Professional fall in three categories: Clinical Oversight and Leadership; Administration; and Internal/External Legal/Regulatory Issues. The Lead APP must supervise a minimum of 10 APPs.
- Clinical Oversight and Leadership.
- Ensure clinical competency and adherence to policy through practice analysis and case review of APPs with physicians.
- Investigate and respond to patient/family complaints from patients and families about care.
- Orient new staff APPs.
- Provide education to staff APPs.
- Participates as a representative the in hospital-wide committees.
- Serve as a representative on the professional and evaluation committees.
- Ensures all operational mandates and initiatives are completed (e.g., C-I-CARE rounds)
- Administration
- Investigate and resolve operational issues.
- Coordinate quality improvement/process improvement programs.
- Provide 24-hour administrator on-call coverage for the service line.
- Coordinate the scheduling of the APPs.
- Other duties as assigned.
· Work with hospital operations in regards to funding/billing/reimbursement models. · Participate in regional and national discussions that affect APP practice.
A Brief Overview
Provides supervision and management of advanced practice providers (APPs) in a distinct clinical service line. Provides clinical direction and education, works closely with operational and physician leaders, and has oversight of hiring, termination, and professional growth and development of their APPs. Also functions under the general Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or the Physician Assistant (PA) Job Description approved by the Interdisciplinary Practice Committee (IDPC).
Locations
Stanford Health Care
What you will do
The essential functions of a Lead Advanced Practice Professional fall in three categories: Clinical Oversight and Leadership; Administration; and Internal/External Legal/Regulatory Issues. The Lead APP must supervise a minimum of 10 APPs.
Clinical Oversight and Leadership:
Co-direct the clinical, operational, and administrative initiatives of the service line Medical Director and unit nursing management team.
Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with the staff APPs.
Ensure clinical competency and adherence to policy through practice analysis and case review of APPs with physicians.
Investigate and respond to patient/family complaints from patients and families about care.
Orient new staff APPs.
Provide education to staff APPs.
Participates as a representative the in hospital-wide committees.
Serve as a representative on the professional and evaluation committees.
Ensures all operational mandates and initiatives are completed (e.g., C-I-CARE rounds).
Administration:
Review and participate in financial planning and issues for the service.
Participate in the hiring, evaluation, coaching, mentoring, and discipline of staff APPs.
Investigate and resolve operational issues.
Coordinate quality improvement/process improvement programs.
Provide 24-hour administrator on-call coverage for the service line.
Coordinate the scheduling of the APPs.
Other duties as assigned.
Internal and External Legal/Regulatory Issues:
Ensure compliance and participate in Medical Staff Services initiatives, policies and procedures.
Be informed of and advocate for practice models that allow clinicians to practice to the fullest extent of their scope of practice.
Participate in regional and national discussions that affect APP practice.
Work with hospital operations in regards to funding/billing/reimbursement models.
Participate in the legislative and health policy issues affecting advanced practice.
Education Qualifications
Advanced Practice Nurse: Master's or Doctorate Degree in Nursing or other healthcare-related field from an accredited university.
Physician Assistant: Bachelors degree in Science, Physician Assistant Studies, or Healthcare related field from an accredited university.
Experience Qualifications
A minimum of one (1) year of experience as a licensed advanced practice provider: (Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist).
Three (3) years of APP experience preferred.
Management experience preferred.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:
These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or licensure/certification.
Management principles and practices such as, but not limited to, employee hiring, evaluation, counseling, and termination; budgeting; and employee recognition and rewards.
Practice evaluation and process improvement.
National professional organizational and regulatory agency initiatives.
Standards of care and practice of APP roles.
Ability to:
Knowledge and demonstrated clinical competence and in depth knowledge in specialty.
Knowledge of the organization and operation of trauma services necessary to ensure the delivery of quality, cost-effective and efficient patient care.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with widely diverse groups, including individuals at all levels both within and outside the organization and gain their cooperation.
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, work independently and meet deadlines.
Ability to promote a spirit of inquiry and practice based on evidence by using research based knowledge or research utilization methods to identify and implement innovations in patient care and/or participating in research, clinical investigatory or quality projects.
Ability to use educational strategies to influence the development of staff and the provision of quality care for patients and families.
Communicate effectively in many venues from individual 1-on-1 sessions to a large audience.
Recognize/reward or counsel staff.
Have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Conduct efficient and supportive process improvement activities.
Contribute positively, proactively, and adeptly in institution-wide and Center of Advanced Practice initiatives.
Translate and implement national initiatives at SHC.
Ability to work full-time.
Licenses and Certifications
PA - Physician Assistant State Licensure or
RN - Valid California license to practice as a Registered Nurse - AND - one of the following advanced practice nursing licenses is qualifying:
(a) NP - Valid California license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner as well as having current national certification,(b) CNS - Valid California license to practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist as well as having current national certification, or
(c) CRNA - Valid California license to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist as well as having current national certification.
These principles apply to ALL employees:
SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience
Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.
You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective:
Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination
Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.
Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $100.03 - $132.51 per hourThe salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.
If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered.
Day - 12 Hour (United States of America) The Lead Advanced Practice Provider provides supervision and management of advanced practice providers (APPs) in a distinct clincial service line. The Lead APP provides clinical direction and education, works closely with operational and physician leaders, and has oversight of hiring, termination, and professional growth and development of their APPs. The Lead APP also functions under the general Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or the Physician Assistant (PA) Job Description approved by the Interdisciplinary Practice Committee (IDPC).
Essential Functions
The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.
Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility entailed.
- Employees must abide by all Joint Commission requirements including, but not limited to, sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patients' rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environemnts, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participiation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety goals, and licensure and health screenings.
- Employees must perform all duties and responsibilties in accordance with the C-I-CARE standards of the Hospital. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford's patient-experience and represents a farmework for patient-centered interaction.
- The essential functions of a Lead Advanced Practice Professional fall in three categories: Clinical Oversight and Leadership; Administration; and Internal/External Legal/Regulatory Issues. The Lead APP must supervise a minimum of 10 APPs.
- Clinical Oversight and Leadership.
- Ensure clinical competency and adherence to policy through practice analysis and case review of APPs with physicians.
- Investigate and respond to patient/family complaints from patients and families about care.
- Orient new staff APPs.
- Provide education to staff APPs.
- Participates as a representative the in hospital-wide committees.
- Serve as a representative on the professional and evaluation committees.
- Ensures all operational mandates and initiatives are completed (e.g., C-I-CARE rounds)
- Administration
- Investigate and resolve operational issues.
- Coordinate quality improvement/process improvement programs.
- Provide 24-hour administrator on-call coverage for the service line.
- Coordinate the scheduling of the APPs.
- Other duties as assigned.
· Work with hospital operations in regards to funding/billing/reimbursement models. · Participate in regional and national discussions that affect APP practice.
A Brief Overview
Provides supervision and management of advanced practice providers (APPs) in a distinct clinical service line. Provides clinical direction and education, works closely with operational and physician leaders, and has oversight of hiring, termination, and professional growth and development of their APPs. Also functions under the general Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or the Physician Assistant (PA) Job Description approved by the Interdisciplinary Practice Committee (IDPC).
Locations
Stanford Health Care
What you will do
The essential functions of a Lead Advanced Practice Professional fall in three categories: Clinical Oversight and Leadership; Administration; and Internal/External Legal/Regulatory Issues. The Lead APP must supervise a minimum of 10 APPs.
Clinical Oversight and Leadership:
Co-direct the clinical, operational, and administrative initiatives of the service line Medical Director and unit nursing management team.
Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with the staff APPs.
Ensure clinical competency and adherence to policy through practice analysis and case review of APPs with physicians.
Investigate and respond to patient/family complaints from patients and families about care.
Orient new staff APPs.
Provide education to staff APPs.
Participates as a representative the in hospital-wide committees.
Serve as a representative on the professional and evaluation committees.
Ensures all operational mandates and initiatives are completed (e.g., C-I-CARE rounds).
Administration:
Review and participate in financial planning and issues for the service.
Participate in the hiring, evaluation, coaching, mentoring, and discipline of staff APPs.
Investigate and resolve operational issues.
Coordinate quality improvement/process improvement programs.
Provide 24-hour administrator on-call coverage for the service line.
Coordinate the scheduling of the APPs.
Other duties as assigned.
Internal and External Legal/Regulatory Issues:
Ensure compliance and participate in Medical Staff Services initiatives, policies and procedures.
Be informed of and advocate for practice models that allow clinicians to practice to the fullest extent of their scope of practice.
Participate in regional and national discussions that affect APP practice.
Work with hospital operations in regards to funding/billing/reimbursement models.
Participate in the legislative and health policy issues affecting advanced practice.
Education Qualifications
Advanced Practice Nurse: Master's or Doctorate Degree in Nursing or other healthcare-related field from an accredited university.
Physician Assistant: Bachelors degree in Science, Physician Assistant Studies, or Healthcare related field from an accredited university.
Experience Qualifications
A minimum of one (1) year of experience as a licensed advanced practice provider: (Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist).
Three (3) years of APP experience preferred.
Management experience preferred.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:
These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or licensure/certification.
Management principles and practices such as, but not limited to, employee hiring, evaluation, counseling, and termination; budgeting; and employee recognition and rewards.
Practice evaluation and process improvement.
National professional organizational and regulatory agency initiatives.
Standards of care and practice of APP roles.
Ability to:
Knowledge and demonstrated clinical competence and in depth knowledge in specialty.
Knowledge of the organization and operation of trauma services necessary to ensure the delivery of quality, cost-effective and efficient patient care.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with widely diverse groups, including individuals at all levels both within and outside the organization and gain their cooperation.
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, work independently and meet deadlines.
Ability to promote a spirit of inquiry and practice based on evidence by using research based knowledge or research utilization methods to identify and implement innovations in patient care and/or participating in research, clinical investigatory or quality projects.
Ability to use educational strategies to influence the development of staff and the provision of quality care for patients and families.
Communicate effectively in many venues from individual 1-on-1 sessions to a large audience.
Recognize/reward or counsel staff.
Have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Conduct efficient and supportive process improvement activities.
Contribute positively, proactively, and adeptly in institution-wide and Center of Advanced Practice initiatives.
Translate and implement national initiatives at SHC.
Ability to work full-time.
Licenses and Certifications
PA - Physician Assistant State Licensure or
RN - Valid California license to practice as a Registered Nurse - AND - one of the following advanced practice nursing licenses is qualifying:
(a) NP - Valid California license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner as well as having current national certification,(b) CNS - Valid California license to practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist as well as having current national certification, or
(c) CRNA - Valid California license to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist as well as having current national certification.
These principles apply to ALL employees:
SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience
Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.
You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective:
Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination
Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.
Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $100.03 - $132.51 per hourThe salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.
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Find Physician Assistant JobsPhysician Assistant Job Market in Palo Alto
Who's Hiring
- Stanford Medicine Children's Health17
- Stanford Health Care3
- Sutter Health2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services20
Physician Assistant Jobs in Palo Alto: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a physician assistant job in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto's market is anchored by academic medical centers, multispecialty groups, and outpatient specialty clinics, so the strongest candidates pair clinical depth in a high-demand specialty like cardiology, orthopedics, or oncology with experience in fast-paced outpatient or surgical settings. Roles concentrate near Stanford's medical campus, along El Camino Real, and in the California Avenue district. Networking through grand rounds, clinical rotations, or professional associations active in the South Bay gives Palo Alto candidates a meaningful edge.
Which companies hire physician assistants in Palo Alto?
Employers hiring physician assistants in Palo Alto right now include Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Stanford Health Care, and Sutter Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The local market is shaped by a mix of large academic health systems, specialty group practices, and ambulatory surgery centers that reflect the area's concentration of high-acuity and research-adjacent care.
Are there remote physician assistant jobs in Palo Alto?
Yes, though remote work is limited for physician assistants given the hands-on nature of patient care, with opportunities concentrated in telehealth triage, utilization review, and clinical documentation roles. About 0% of physician assistant openings tied to Palo Alto are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the broader telehealth infrastructure that Bay Area health systems have built. Telehealth and population health management roles within regional health networks are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid flexibility.
How can I get a physician assistant job in Palo Alto with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Palo Alto is through clinical rotation placements or new-graduate programs at academic medical centers and large multispecialty groups, which regularly onboard new PAs into structured mentorship tracks. Ambulatory care clinics along El Camino Real and primary care practices affiliated with regional health systems often hire new graduates for general medicine or urgent care roles where supervising physicians are closely available. Demonstrating familiarity with Epic and experience in high-volume outpatient settings strengthens any entry-level application in this market.
Which industries hire the most physician assistants in Palo Alto?
The sectors hiring the most physician assistants in Palo Alto are Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Palo Alto's proximity to a major academic medical center and its concentration of specialty and research-oriented practices drive outsized demand compared with most similarly sized cities.
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