knownwell4 is seeking a Founding Physician to lead the establishment of our inaugural Northern California site in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is a unique, high-impact opportunity for a physician who wants to shape a market from the ground up - combining clinical leadership with the strategic work of building a new practice, before stepping into full-time clinical care once the clinic opens its doors.

As an active member of the clinical practice, you will work alongside a team of committed clinicians, APCs, registered dietitians, registered nurses, and health coaches to provide comprehensive medical care, with a specific focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of obesity and obesity-related conditions in a primary care setting. This position offers the opportunity to build a knownwell site from its earliest foundation and make a lasting impact on how Bay Area patients experience weight-inclusive, compassionate care.

This role is structured in three phases:

• Phase 1 (Remote, Pre-Launch): Youll lend your credentials and clinical leadership to secure participation in local Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs) and other key partnerships.

• Phase 2 (Remote, Pre-Launch): Youll work with the knownwell recruiting team and leadership to build the inaugural San Francisco care team - including clinicians and support staff.

• Phase 3 (Full-Time, Hybrid, Clinic Launch): Beginning just prior to clinic opening (anticipated Q4 2027), youll transition into full-time clinical practice, seeing patients both in person and remotely, as well as providing oversight and mentorship to the sites APCs.

Schedule:

• Phase 1 and 2 - flexible, low-touch, remote

• Phase 3 - Monday-Friday with hybrid, flexible scheduling

Clinic location: South Bay, San Francisco Bay Area (exact location TBD)
EMR: Athena
On-Call: Phone call only, in a rotation with initial triage by nurses (Phase 3).

Compensation Structure

• Phase 1 and 2: Monthly rate, reflective of low-touch, remote involvement (credentialing/CIN participation and recruiting support).

• Phase 3: Standard full-time physician compensation program

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) required from an accredited medical school.

• Active, unrestricted license to practice in California, or willingness to obtain. Willingness to obtain additional licensures if needed based upon business needs.

• Board certification in Family Practice or Internal Medicine.

• Certification with the American Board of Obesity Medicine highly preferred, but not required.

• Valid DEA required with no restrictions and prescribing authority (per state practice regulation).

• BLS certification current.

• Minimum of two (2) years of in-person clinical experience in an ambulatory care setting, family or internal medicine; experience in chronic condition management and weight management preferred. If no formal training in weight management, willingness to participate in knownwell clinical education and training plan for weight management and/or pursue ABOM certification.

• Willing to supervise Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) as deemed necessary and appropriate by the practice. Abide by California-specific rules and regulations as a collaborating physician.

• Experience or interest in market development - credentialing, network-building, and community/CIN partnerships - given the founding nature of this role.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Dedicated to staying current with the latest developments in primary care and obesity medicine.

• Believes in inclusive, compassionate care.

• Believes in shared decision-making with a patient. Honors the goals a patient has for their health, and partners with them to help them achieve those goals.

• High emotional intelligence and the ability to make a patient feel at ease - without judgment and without shame.

• Willing and excited to try new technologies that are both patient- and clinician-oriented.

• Excited to work with a collaborative team of physicians, APCs, registered dietitians, medical assistants, health coaches, and other staff.

• Must have access to high-speed internet and phone lines.

• We are unable to sponsor visas currently, so you must be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities
Phase 1: Founding & Market Development (Remote)

• Use your credentials to support applications and participation in local Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs) and other strategic partners ahead of clinic launch.

• Partner closely with knownwell recruiting to source, interview, and help select the inaugural San Francisco care team, including clinicians and support staff.

• Provide clinical perspective and input on site readiness, staffing plans, and market-specific operational needs.

• Support relationship-building with local healthcare providers, health systems, and community partners to lay the groundwork for referral networks ahead of opening.

• Act as an early clinical voice for the San Francisco market, representing knownwell in a low-touch, remote capacity.

Phase 2: Full-Time Clinical Practice & Team Leadership (Remote)

• Transition to full-time clinical responsibilities beginning just prior to clinic opening (anticipated Q4 2027).

• Provide clinical oversight and mentorship to the sites Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs), consistent with California collaborating physician requirements.

• See patients directly, both in-person and virtually, delivering comprehensive primary care with a focus on obesity and obesity-related conditions.

• Continue to strengthen local referral relationships and community partnerships established during Phase 1.

• Act as a liaison between the practice and external stakeholders, including healthcare organizations and insurance companies.

• Provide clinical guidance to APCs, medical assistants, and nursing teams as assigned.

Practice Exceptional Medicine Within knownwell (Hybrid)

• Sees adults ages 18+ for primary care, often with a focus on metabolic health, or adults for metabolic health only. Shares a panel with APC(s).

• Hybrid care delivery: virtual and in-person patient care.

• Virtual visits using audio and visual technology to complete patient examinations, evaluations, assessments, diagnoses, and treatment plans.

• Embodies the knownwell mission and values of patient inclusivity in how care is delivered.

• Coordinates with the broader care team to ensure the patient has the support they need.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications recommended, but not required.

• Documents as necessary to ensure accurate billing, including review of remote patient monitoring data.

• Communicates with patients in a timely manner through the patient portal for questions and concerns that have been pre-screened to necessitate a clinician response.

Ensure Patients Feel Known Well

• Ensures your patient panel is open to any individual, regardless of their current health status and comorbidities.

• Listens to the aspirations of the patient and ensures care is tailored to the patients unique health journey.

• Provides an environment in which patients feel comfortable and free from judgment.

• Offers exceptional encouragement as patients reach their goals.

Coordinate Across the Collaborative Care Team

• Escalates any concerns to your dedicated leadership team.

• Provides clinical guidance to Advanced Practice Clinicians, medical assistants, and nursing teams as assigned.

Stay current with licensure and appropriate re-certifications.

Pay & Perks:
Hybrid opportunity
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401K retirement plan with company match
Up to 20 days of PTO per year + company holidays
Up to 14 weeks of parental leave (12 for non-birthing parents)
Annual work from home stipend for remote employees