Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH) and Stanford Children’s Health stand among the world’s leading pediatric care and research centers, offering a wide range of job opportunities for healthcare professionals, researchers, administrators, and support staff. Located in Palo Alto, California, LPCH is part of Stanford Medicine and operates across multiple clinics and programs throughout Northern California. Whether you’re a nurse seeking clinical excellence or a researcher looking to advance pediatric treatments, Lucile Packard’s diverse roles and supportive environment make it a compelling workplace.
Overview of Stanford Lucile Packard Job Opportunities
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford is a nationally ranked children’s and maternal hospital, affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine and staffed by over 4,750 employees and volunteers. The institution’s commitment to pediatrics, obstetrics, trauma care, and innovation has led to ongoing growth and frequent job openings across clinical, technical, research, administrative, and allied health roles.
Core Employer Groups
- Stanford Medicine Children’s Health / Packard Children’s Health Alliance: Operates primary care and specialty pediatric clinics across the Bay Area, offering roles such as Medical Assistants, Clinical Assistants, and Licensed Social Workers.
- Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford: The main hospital campus offers positions including RN (various specialties), Nurse Practitioners, Patient Experience Navigators, Sonographers, and social workers.
- Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health: The nonprofit affiliate hires professionals in fundraising, program design, event planning, research communications, and advocacy.
Key Job Categories and Roles
Clinical & Nursing Positions
- Registered Nurses (Clinical Nurse II, NICU, PICU, CVICU)
- Advanced Practice Providers (Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants)
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers in pediatric and ICU settings
- Allied health roles such as Sonographers and Sleep Technicians
Medical Assistants & Support Staff
- Medical Assistants I and II in general pediatrics at clinics across the Bay Area
- Patient Service and Access Representatives assisting families and providers
Administrative, Research & Foundation Roles
- Program Associates and Assistants at the Lucile Packard Foundation
- Research-related positions within Stanford department labs (e.g., Stanford School of Medicine administrative roles)
Benefits and Workplace Culture
LPCH and Stanford Children’s Health offer comprehensive benefits packages that support health, wellness, and career development. Staff enjoy medical, dental, vision coverage, retirement plans, flexible schedules, tuition support, and more. The Lucile Packard Foundation adds perks such as sabbaticals and remote-flex opportunities.
Stanford hospitals foster a culture of continuous learning with access to seminars, fitness classes, and mentorship programs. Clinicians benefit from advanced facilities LPCH’s main building is LEED Platinum certified and offers state-of-the-art NICU, PICU, and CVICU units.
Career Growth & Development Opportunities
Employees at Stanford benefit from structured career pathways nurses can advance from Clinical Nurse II to leadership roles, while research and professional staff can grow with development programs and interdepartmental mobility. The foundation supports grant training and leadership skill-building.
Internships & Residencies
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health offers internship, residency, and fellowship programs in areas like respiratory care, pediatric medicine, and public health designed to attract new graduates and support professional development.
Application Process & Hiring Insights
Job seekers can explore and apply via the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health careers portal or LinkedIn pages for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. For foundation roles, applications are submitted through the Lucile Packard Foundation site.
The hiring process usually involves:
- Online application submission with resume and cover letter
- Initial screening by HR or recruiting teams
- Interviews with hiring managers and team members
- Background checks, veriļ¬cations, and credential reviews
- Job offers sent via Workday or email, followed by onboarding
Current Employment Trends & Market Snapshot
Indeed lists hundreds of open positions across LPCH, spanning clinical, housekeeping, food services, and administrative roles with broad salary ranges. LinkedIn highlights high-level roles like Practice Administrators, Clinical Pharmacists, Sleep Technicians, and Social Workers in the Palo Alto area.
Challenges & Considerations
Despite strong benefits and innovative care delivery, candidates should be prepared for Palo Alto’s high cost of living. Some staff like on-call nurses may resort to van life or hospital-provided sleep rooms when affordable housing is scarce. Commuting pressures and long shifts require resilience and planning but many find the mission-driven work and community support worthwhile.
Why Choose a Career at LPCH
Working at Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and its affiliates offers unique professional rewards: contributing to groundbreaking pediatric care, supporting families, and learning in an academic environment. Employees join a caring, diverse, and highly skilled community dedicated to improving children’s health.
Top Reasons to Apply
- Access to advanced clinical settings and research programs
- Robust benefits and flexible work models
- Clear growth paths and professional development
- Mission-driven care with tangible community impact
- Collaborative environment anchored in academic excellence
Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the broader Stanford Children’s Health network offer fulfilling career options for healthcare professionals, support staff, and nonprofit practitioners. With thousands of employees, a range of roles, excellent benefits, and a patient-centered mission, LPCH represents a top choice for those looking to make a real difference in pediatric and maternal healthcare. Despite regional cost and operational demands, many find the opportunity to work alongside world-class talent and state-of-the-art resources deeply rewarding.