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Medical Observer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MEDICAL ASSISTANT-ARVIN, CA

Arvin, CA · On-site

$17.25 - $22.25/hr

The Medical Assistant will function within the scope of practice as described by the State of ... Observe patient vital signs, Observe patients for bleeding. * Prepare and position patients for ...

Showing results 21-40

Medical Observer information

See California salary details

$10

$24

$43

How much do medical observer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical observer in California is $24.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.54 and $24.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medical observer?

Medical Observers are individuals, often international medical graduates or students, who participate in clinical observation experiences within healthcare settings. They do not have direct patient care responsibilities but instead observe patient care practices, attend lectures, and learn about the healthcare system. This experience helps them gain insight into medical practices, improve their understanding of clinical protocols, and prepare for future medical training or residency applications. Medical observing is typically a short-term, educational opportunity and does not grant any clinical privileges or licensure.

What are the typical responsibilities of a medical observer during clinical trials or medical procedures?

As a Medical Observer, your primary responsibility is to objectively monitor clinical trials or medical procedures to ensure adherence to protocols, regulatory guidelines, and patient safety standards. You will often take detailed notes, observe team interactions, and report on compliance issues or deviations. The role involves close collaboration with clinical staff, researchers, and regulatory bodies, but you remain independent from direct patient care to maintain impartiality. This position requires keen attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to remain unbiased in your observations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medical observer, and why are they important?

A Medical Observer typically requires a strong background in healthcare, proficiency in clinical protocols, and an understanding of patient care standards, often supported by a medical or nursing degree. Familiarity with medical documentation systems, incident reporting tools, and relevant health and safety regulations is essential. Attention to detail, strong observational skills, and effective communication make a Medical Observer stand out in accurately monitoring and reporting clinical practices. These skills ensure that patient safety is maintained, compliance is achieved, and quality of care is continuously improved.

How do you become a medical observer?

To become a medical observer, candidates typically need a medical background such as a healthcare degree or relevant experience, and must often complete specific training or certification related to clinical observation. The role involves monitoring clinical trials or medical procedures, so attention to detail and knowledge of medical protocols are essential.

What are popular job titles related to Medical Observer jobs in California?

For Medical Observer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Medical Observer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Medical Observer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Medical Observer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,107 per year, or $24.1 per hour.

Director, Medical Affairs Research

Gilead

Foster City, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Gilead Sciences rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

At Gilead, we're creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we've tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer - working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world's biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Every member of Gilead's team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we're looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.
Job Description

The Director, Medical Affairs Research - Oncology, you will serve as a senior research lead within Oncology Medical Affairs, responsible for defining and executing medical affairs led evidence generation across the oncology portfolio. This role will be used to hire multiple Directors with complementary methodological expertise.

Directors in this role must bring deep expertise in one or more of the following methodological areas: interventional (Phase 4 and collaborative) research, observational / realworld evidence research, and implementation science. While each Director is expected to anchor in at least one primary area of expertise, all will collaborate closely to deliver integrated, fitforpurpose evidence aligned to Integrated Evidence Plans (IEPs).

Essential Duties & Job Functions

  • Lead Oncology Medical Affairs Research strategy aligned to Integrated Evidence Plans across assets and disease areas

  • Provide scientific leadership for latephase oncology research, selecting and applying appropriate methodologies based on evidence gaps

  • Serve as Medical Affairs Study Lead (MASL) for Gileadsponsored and collaborative research studies

  • Define research questions and guide protocol development for interventional, observational, and/or implementation science studies

  • Oversee a portfolio of Oncology MAR studies, ensuring scientific rigor, operational feasibility, governance, and compliance

  • Influence crossfunctional partners across Development, HEOR, Commercial, Safety, and external stakeholders

  • Build and sustain external scientific partnerships including academic investigators, cooperative groups, data partners, and health systems

  • Translate study findings into scientific communications such as abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations

  • Provide mentorship and scientific leadership within Oncology Medical Affairs to strengthen research capability

  • Ensure adherence to regulatory, legal, and business conduct standards governing Medical Affairs research

Key Capabilities & Methodological Expertise

Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise in one or more of the following areas. Expertise in multiple areas is strongly preferred.

  • Interventional Research: Expertise in Phase 4 interventional trial design and conduct, including protocol development, feasibility assessment, execution oversight, and collaboration with academic and cooperative research groups.

  • Observational / RealWorld Evidence Research: Expertise in observational study design and analysis, including use of realworld data sources such as claims, EHRs, registries, and linked datasets, with strong understanding of epidemiologic and methodological rigor.

  • Implementation Science Research: Expertise in implementation science frameworks and mixedmethods research, focused on translating evidence into realworld oncology practice, addressing care gaps, and driving adoption and sustainability.

Knowledge & Skills

  • Demonstrated scientific credibility and thought leadership in oncology research

  • Experience serving as major contributing author on manuscripts, abstracts, or scientific congress submissions.

  • Strong strategic thinking with ability to translate complex evidence gaps into actionable research plans

  • Proven ability to influence and collaborate across complex, matrixed organizations

  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

  • Ability to operate effectively in a global environment

  • High standards of integrity, accountability, and commitment to compliant scientific exchange

Education & Experience

  • Advanced scientific or medical degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, MD, MPH) required.

  • Demonstrated history of scientific publications and/or authorship in peerreviewed journals within the candidate's primary area of methodological expertise (interventional clinical research, observational / realworld evidence, and/or implementation science).

  • Typically, 10+ years of experience in oncology research, medical affairs, or related pharmaceutical or academic settings.

  • Significant experience leading latephase research, including Phase 4, collaborative, and Medical Affairsled studies.

  • Strong understanding of regulatory, ethical, and compliance requirements governing Medical Affairs research activities.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and Twelve Years' Experience

OR

Masters' Degree and Ten Years' Experience

OR

PhD, PharmD, MD, MPH and Eight Years' Experience

People Leader Accountabilities:

  • Create Inclusion -knowingthe business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.

  • Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employeesare receivingthe feedback and insight needed to grow,developand realize their purpose.

  • Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizationalobjectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.


The salary range for this position is: $243,100.00 - $314,600.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.


For jobs in the United States:

Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability,genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.comfor assistance.


For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the'Know Your Rights' poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT


Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.


Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.


For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.


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