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Sutter Health
San Mateo, California

Physician Assistant

Physician AssistantIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$205K - $297K

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization

PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation ALD

Position Overview

Assesses, diagnoses, plans and implements the medical care of patients in collaboration with a physician. Functions within the full scope of licensure; accountable for the assessment, coordination delivery and evaluation of care, including direct patient care, patient/family education and transitions of care.

Provides medical consultation including the performance of therapeutic procedures delegated by the supervising physician, assist with various procedures, provides patient education, treatment and follow-up, may complete daily rounds and as needed using an organized multi-disciplinary team approach to provide continuity of care throughout the care continuum.

The Physician Assistant's responsibilities may include managing patients in an office, hospital, emergency and/or perioperative setting. Follows ambulatory care and inpatient standardized procedures, protocols, policy and procedures regulated by the State of California Physician Assistant Practice Act.

Job Description

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Patient Care

  • Performs patient assessments to include: obtaining basic medical information and history, reviewing patient's medical record, performing physical exam, documenting findings into patient medical record, and reporting deviations from normal findings to attending physician.
  • Provides health care services to patients under the direction and responsibility of physician.
  • Examines patient, performs comprehensive physical examination, and compiles patient medical data, including health history and results of physical examination.
  • Administers or orders diagnostic tests, and interprets test results for deviations from normal.
  • Develops and implements patient management plans, records progress notes, and assists in provision of continuity of care.
  • Instructs and counsels patients regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
  • Performs therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, and managing infection.

Administrative Responsabilities

  • Communicates orally and in writing with patients, physicians and staff as indicated.
  • Provides health education and counseling to patients.
  • Accurately documents patient encounter data.
  • Provides relevant quality assessment and reports.
  • Establishes and maintains effective and seamless communication between the practice and patients’ medical providers in order to provide continuity of care.
  • Serves as coordinator for patients to access community and other resources necessary for appropriate management of medical and psychosocial factors.

Typical Experience

2 years of recent relevant experience.

Skills and Knowledge

  • Demonstrates knowledge of patient care guidelines/policy as evidenced by quality of documentation.
  • Medical knowledge and skills applicable to perform within the scope of practice.
  • Thorough knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.
  • Working knowledge of electronic health records such as EPIC.

Critical thinking skills as it relates to specialized departments this may include the ability to complete age-appropriate assessments

Communication skills (verbal, written and listening) with ability to work effectively across the organization, especially in situations requiring instructing, persuading, negotiating, consulting and advising.

Technical and analytical skills for analysis and interpretation of test procedures and results in order to determine appropriate correction actions

Interpersonal skills with the ability to work with and collaborate across the organization and with patients and their families as needed

  • Ability to effectively lead, mentor and/or develop others
  • Ability to maintain composure during challenging interpersonal interactions

Job Shift

Days

Schedule

Full Time

Days of the Week

Variable

Weekend Requirements

Once a Month

Benefits

Yes

Unions

No

Position Status

Exempt

Weekly Hours

40

Employee Status

Regular

  • Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
  • Pay Range is $204,630.40 to $296,691.20 / annual salary

The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.

Key Responsibilities

The Physician Assistant assesses, diagnoses, and implements medical care for patients in collaboration with a physician. They perform therapeutic procedures, manage patient treatment plans, and ensure continuity of care across various clinical settings.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least 2 years of recent relevant experience and possess strong knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. Proficiency in electronic health records, specifically Epic, and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Patient assessmentMedical diagnosisTreatment planningDiagnostic testingClinical documentation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Physician Assistant at Sutter Health a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Primary Care (PA) — ranked against 434 active Primary Care (PA) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Primary Care — Physician Assistant Career Context

Sutter Health ranks #6 of 15 employers hiring Physician Assistant on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Primary Care listings this role was benchmarked against, 10% are remote, 64% have no call, 72% require no weekends.

Primary Care pay on WeekdayDoc is down 8.9% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$251k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $226k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Physician Assistant Jobs

33 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution33 jobs · 27 employers

9
<$165k
9
$165k-190k
9
$190k-215k
3
$215k-240k
3
$240k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks29 jobs · 27 employers

401k / retirement match
93% this job
CME allowance
66%
Sign-on bonus
59%
Relocation assistance
21%
Loan repayment
17% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 5.1this job 6.4
Better work-life than 70% of Primary Care (PA) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 434 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes weekends

Living in San Mateo

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.81M≈ 8.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,917/mo≈ 23% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
26 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.