Physician Associate - Street Medicine, Bakersfield

About the role

Akido, an AI-powered care provider, is hiring a Physician Associate (Physician Assistant) for its Street Medicine team in Kern County. The role combines hands-on care with AI-driven tools to serve vulnerable populations, such as unhoused people, and sits in a hybrid setting centered on telehealth, with the main office in Bakersfield and occasional onsite patient care.

Key responsibilities

• Provide frontline care to patients experiencing homelessness, behavioral health challenges, serious mental illness, substance use disorders and complex chronic conditions, including those transitioning from incarceration.
• Manage patient panels by delivering acute, chronic and preventative care in the field.
• Assess patients, take histories, perform physical exams, order and interpret diagnostics and prescribe treatment under physician supervision.
• Work closely with the supervising physician on complex cases, using independent judgement within state regulations and scope of practice.
• Design and implement care plans aimed at stability and better health outcomes.
• Collaborate daily with physicians, nurses, social workers and outreach staff, and document all encounters.

Required profile

• Active, unrestricted California Physician Assistant license by hire date, completed Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, NPI, DEA and Basic Life Support certification.
• Experience or interest in public health, home care, social work or outpatient care with vulnerable populations is particularly valued.
• Comfortable providing direct care outdoors in unpredictable conditions, with strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Valid California driver's license and reliable, insured vehicle, able to travel up to 75% of work time.
• Ability to lead, prioritize and coordinate clinical workflows and support staff.
• Bilingual English-Spanish strongly preferred; 1+ years of experience with CalAIM populations (homelessness, SMI/SUD, post-incarceration, complex medical needs) preferred.

What we offer

• Salary of $148,500-$187,100 USD.
• $15,000 signing bonus with a 2-year commitment.
• Up to $5,000 of relocation costs covered.