Medical Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California is one of the most active states for medical director visa sponsorship, driven by its concentration of large health systems, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and academic medical centers. Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, Stanford Health Care, and UCSF regularly hire medical directors and have established international sponsorship programs. Major hiring hubs include Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.
This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/
- Application Opening: Monday, October 26, 2026
- Application Deadline: Application filing will close on or after Monday, November 02, 2026
- Salary: $343,174 - $483,002 Annually
- Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
- Recruitment ID: PBT-2243-168261
- Work Arrangement: Onsite
Becoming a City employee means being a part of a team that cares about making a difference. Your work will shape both the present and future of San Francisco. When you work for the City, you’re choosing a job with purpose. The Mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. Fulfilling this mission requires employees working across our hospitals, clinics, programs, and offices to deliver services and support the communities we serve. Individuals interested in joining SFDPH should expect to work in person across these settings. The San Francisco Health Network, Population Health, Behavioral Health Services, and Administration are the core divisions of SFDPH. The San Francisco Health Network is the City’s only complete system of care and has locations throughout the City, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and over 15 primary care health centers. The Population Health Division (PHD) provides core public health services for the City and County of San Francisco: health protection, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and disaster preparedness and response. Behavioral Health Services operates in conjunction with SFHN and provides a range of mental health and substance use treatment services.
Job Description
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) works to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) division provides a full range of mental health and substance use services for children, youth, families, adults, and older adults. Services include prevention and early intervention, outpatient and intensive treatment, crisis response, psychiatric care, residential programs, and recovery support. BHS delivers care through a network of community clinics and community-based providers. BHS focuses on increasing access to care, coordinating services across systems, and improving the quality and outcomes of the care it provides. BHS is committed to equity, cultural responsiveness, and the well-being of the communities it serves.
The BHS Deputy Medical Director of Adult and Older Adult Services reports to the BHS Chief Medical Officer and provides medical leadership, clinical vision, and strategic direction in the Adult and Older Adult System of Care. This role includes some clinical responsibilities, with administrative and managerial work making up the majority of the daily tasks, including the following duties:
- Provides administrative, operational, clinical, and regulatory oversight of medical and psychiatric services in the Adult and Older Adult (A/OA) System of Care
- Provides supervision of A/OA Medical Directors, the Director of the Integrated Health Homes, and other medical staff as needed
- Develops and implements policies and procedures to comply with local, state, and federal regulations
- Drives new care models: Partners with A/OA Director to develop, evaluate, and scale clinical programs based on client needs, regulatory changes, and evidence-based interventions.
- Collaborates with BHS, SFDPH, SF Health Network, and City leaders and establishes effective working relationships with members of the community, local, state, and federal agencies
- Serves as a leader, subject matter expert and consultant in complex and high-risk cases; provides leadership and active participation in BHS Safety Planning and Risk Management.
- Maintains clinical practice with safety net populations, including conservatorship evaluations.
- Leads and participates in Deputy CMO and Medical Director meetings
- Leads and participates in quality improvement, quality assurance, peer review, audit, continuing medical education and provider credentialing activities
- Centers DPH and BHS health equity goals in all clinical initiatives and in the planning, development, and implementation of clinical services
- Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications
⚠️ Required Before Applying ⚠️
Successful completion of a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or American Osteopathic Association in a Psychiatric medical specialty area (i.e. Board Eligible); AND
Experience
Five (5) years of post-residency experience as a practicing Psychiatrist.
License and Certification
Possession of a valid license to practice medicine issued by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.
Substitution
Possession of valid Board Certification in a Psychiatric medical specialty area can substitute for two (2) years of the required post-residency experience as a practicing Psychiatrist.
Desired Qualifications:
- One (1) year supervising Psychiatric Staff
- Board Certified in Psychiatry
The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.
- Applicants possessing a valid license to practice medicine issued from another state within the United States of America may apply, but if selected, the candidate will NOT be appointed/hired until they obtain a valid license to practice medicine issued by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.
- The above minimum qualifications reflect special conditions associated with the position(s) to be filled. They may differ from the standard minimum qualifications associated with this class code.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note:
Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
The Strongest Candidates Will Bring:
- Leadership that pairs a clear vision with strong day-to-day execution
- Clear, effective communication and presentation skills
- A collaborative, adaptable management style that builds strong teams and puts shared success ahead of individual performance
- A proven commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in how you lead, hire, and deliver services
- An approachable, respectful presence with staff, partners, and the community
- Creative problem-solving and a drive to move work forward
- Experience using performance measures and data to drive clinical excellence and guide program planning and evaluation
- Systems thinking, including strong organizational skills to prioritize and deliver complex projects on time and within budget
- Knowledge of systems improvement methods and experience putting strategies in place that improve healthcare delivery
- Success working within a matrix management structure
Additional Information
SELECTION PROCEDURES
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following.
Training and Experience Examination: (Weight 100%)
Not a knowledge quiz, just a brief, multiple-choice assessment of the breadth and depth of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in job-related areas. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the 2243 Psychiatric Physician Specialist exam to continue in the selection process and will be placed on the confidential eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.
Certification
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of List.
Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director. The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be utilized to fill future and current vacancies in this class at other locations within the DPH for the duration of the eligible list. To find Departments which use this classification, please see the city’s Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/. The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Worker
- ADA Accommodation
- Veterans Preference
- Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process. Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment. Please consider using a personal email address that you check regularly rather than a work or school account. Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110. Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues. Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Rashida Taylor at rashida.taylor@sfdph.org or (628)271-6875.
We may use text messaging to communicate with you on the phone number provided in your application. By applying, you accept the Trust and Privacy Policy and you may opt out of text messaging anytime.
POSITION #: 01118093
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Company Description
The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.
This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/
- Application Opening: Monday, October 26, 2026
- Application Deadline: Application filing will close on or after Monday, November 02, 2026
- Salary: $343,174 - $483,002 Annually
- Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
- Recruitment ID: PBT-2243-168261
- Work Arrangement: Onsite
Becoming a City employee means being a part of a team that cares about making a difference. Your work will shape both the present and future of San Francisco. When you work for the City, you’re choosing a job with purpose. The Mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. Fulfilling this mission requires employees working across our hospitals, clinics, programs, and offices to deliver services and support the communities we serve. Individuals interested in joining SFDPH should expect to work in person across these settings. The San Francisco Health Network, Population Health, Behavioral Health Services, and Administration are the core divisions of SFDPH. The San Francisco Health Network is the City’s only complete system of care and has locations throughout the City, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and over 15 primary care health centers. The Population Health Division (PHD) provides core public health services for the City and County of San Francisco: health protection, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and disaster preparedness and response. Behavioral Health Services operates in conjunction with SFHN and provides a range of mental health and substance use treatment services.
Job Description
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) works to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) division provides a full range of mental health and substance use services for children, youth, families, adults, and older adults. Services include prevention and early intervention, outpatient and intensive treatment, crisis response, psychiatric care, residential programs, and recovery support. BHS delivers care through a network of community clinics and community-based providers. BHS focuses on increasing access to care, coordinating services across systems, and improving the quality and outcomes of the care it provides. BHS is committed to equity, cultural responsiveness, and the well-being of the communities it serves.
The BHS Deputy Medical Director of Adult and Older Adult Services reports to the BHS Chief Medical Officer and provides medical leadership, clinical vision, and strategic direction in the Adult and Older Adult System of Care. This role includes some clinical responsibilities, with administrative and managerial work making up the majority of the daily tasks, including the following duties:
- Provides administrative, operational, clinical, and regulatory oversight of medical and psychiatric services in the Adult and Older Adult (A/OA) System of Care
- Provides supervision of A/OA Medical Directors, the Director of the Integrated Health Homes, and other medical staff as needed
- Develops and implements policies and procedures to comply with local, state, and federal regulations
- Drives new care models: Partners with A/OA Director to develop, evaluate, and scale clinical programs based on client needs, regulatory changes, and evidence-based interventions.
- Collaborates with BHS, SFDPH, SF Health Network, and City leaders and establishes effective working relationships with members of the community, local, state, and federal agencies
- Serves as a leader, subject matter expert and consultant in complex and high-risk cases; provides leadership and active participation in BHS Safety Planning and Risk Management.
- Maintains clinical practice with safety net populations, including conservatorship evaluations.
- Leads and participates in Deputy CMO and Medical Director meetings
- Leads and participates in quality improvement, quality assurance, peer review, audit, continuing medical education and provider credentialing activities
- Centers DPH and BHS health equity goals in all clinical initiatives and in the planning, development, and implementation of clinical services
- Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications
⚠️ Required Before Applying ⚠️
Successful completion of a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or American Osteopathic Association in a Psychiatric medical specialty area (i.e. Board Eligible); AND
Experience
Five (5) years of post-residency experience as a practicing Psychiatrist.
License and Certification
Possession of a valid license to practice medicine issued by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.
Substitution
Possession of valid Board Certification in a Psychiatric medical specialty area can substitute for two (2) years of the required post-residency experience as a practicing Psychiatrist.
Desired Qualifications:
- One (1) year supervising Psychiatric Staff
- Board Certified in Psychiatry
The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.
- Applicants possessing a valid license to practice medicine issued from another state within the United States of America may apply, but if selected, the candidate will NOT be appointed/hired until they obtain a valid license to practice medicine issued by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.
- The above minimum qualifications reflect special conditions associated with the position(s) to be filled. They may differ from the standard minimum qualifications associated with this class code.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note:
Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
The Strongest Candidates Will Bring:
- Leadership that pairs a clear vision with strong day-to-day execution
- Clear, effective communication and presentation skills
- A collaborative, adaptable management style that builds strong teams and puts shared success ahead of individual performance
- A proven commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in how you lead, hire, and deliver services
- An approachable, respectful presence with staff, partners, and the community
- Creative problem-solving and a drive to move work forward
- Experience using performance measures and data to drive clinical excellence and guide program planning and evaluation
- Systems thinking, including strong organizational skills to prioritize and deliver complex projects on time and within budget
- Knowledge of systems improvement methods and experience putting strategies in place that improve healthcare delivery
- Success working within a matrix management structure
Additional Information
SELECTION PROCEDURES
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following.
Training and Experience Examination: (Weight 100%)
Not a knowledge quiz, just a brief, multiple-choice assessment of the breadth and depth of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in job-related areas. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the 2243 Psychiatric Physician Specialist exam to continue in the selection process and will be placed on the confidential eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.
Certification
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of List.
Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director. The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be utilized to fill future and current vacancies in this class at other locations within the DPH for the duration of the eligible list. To find Departments which use this classification, please see the city’s Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/. The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Worker
- ADA Accommodation
- Veterans Preference
- Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process. Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment. Please consider using a personal email address that you check regularly rather than a work or school account. Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110. Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues. Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Rashida Taylor at rashida.taylor@sfdph.org or (628)271-6875.
We may use text messaging to communicate with you on the phone number provided in your application. By applying, you accept the Trust and Privacy Policy and you may opt out of text messaging anytime.
POSITION #: 01118093
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Medical Director Job Roles in California
See all 151+ Medical Director Jobs in California
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Search Medical Director Jobs in CaliforniaMedical Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for medical directors in California?
California's largest health systems and life sciences employers are among the most active sponsors for medical director roles. Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Dignity Health, Stanford Health Care, and UCSF Health have histories of sponsoring international physicians in leadership positions. Biotech and pharmaceutical companies concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, including companies like Genentech and Illumina, also sponsor medical directors in clinical and scientific leadership capacities.
Which visa types are most common for medical director roles in California?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for medical directors in California, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring an advanced medical degree. Physicians who completed residency or fellowship training in the U.S. on a J-1 visa may need to satisfy a two-year home residency requirement or obtain a waiver before transitioning to H-1B status. The O-1A is another pathway for medical directors with documented national or international recognition in their specialty.
Which cities in California have the most medical director sponsorship jobs?
Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area account for the largest share of medical director sponsorship activity in California. Los Angeles is home to major health systems including Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, and Keck Medicine of USC. The Bay Area concentrates academic medical centers such as UCSF and Stanford alongside a dense biotech corridor. San Diego is a growing hub, particularly for medical directors in pharmaceutical and genomics companies, while Sacramento hosts several large regional health systems.
How to find medical director visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it easier to identify medical director roles in California where employers have indicated willingness to sponsor. Rather than sorting through general job boards, Migrate Mate surfaces positions from health systems, academic medical centers, and life sciences companies across the state that are actively seeking internationally qualified candidates for medical director positions.
Are there state-specific considerations for medical directors seeking visa sponsorship in California?
California requires medical directors who hold an active clinical role to maintain a California Medical Board license, which is a separate process from federal visa sponsorship and can take several months. Employers filing H-1B petitions must meet Department of Labor prevailing wage requirements, which in California's major metropolitan areas are among the highest in the country due to high cost-of-living designations. Academic medical centers affiliated with the University of California system are cap-exempt employers, meaning they can file H-1B petitions outside the annual lottery.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored medical director jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.