Green Card Cardiac Surgeon Jobs
Cardiac surgeons rank among the most sponsorship-eligible professionals in U.S. medicine, with academic medical centers and large health systems routinely filing PERM labor certifications for foreign-trained surgeons. EB-2 covers advanced-degree candidates; EB-3 is available for those completing U.S. residency or fellowship under a qualifying employer.
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As a Cardiac Surgeon at Franciscan Cardiothoracic Surgery Associates, part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) you will join our dynamic, award winning Team at the St. Michael Medical Center (SMMC) campus in Silverdale, WA. The Cardiac Surgery program at SMMC offers expertise in advanced treatment options for cardiac surgical conditions while achieving excellent outcomes.
Provide compassionate and expert care, conducting thorough assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to support the holistic well-being of patients and their families.
To be successful in this role you will be dedicated to excellent patient care and possess expertise in diagnosing and managing complex diseases with strong communication skills. You will also demonstrate a deep commitment to patient-centered care and the capacity to thrive within a collegial and supportive environment.
- Adult cardiac surgery; including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, aortic surgery, structural heart procedures, and arrhythmia surgery.
- We also offer comprehensive care for challenging cases, such as surgery for heart failure, redo cardiac surgery, and multi-valve repair and replacement.
- Currently, SMMC performs more than 300 major cardiac cases annually and recently completed its 1,000th TAVR procedure.
Our program is ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation for CABG survival rates by the CMS Hospital VBP program. SMMC is a well-respected Pacific Northwest hospital celebrating its fifth consecutive year of excellence with an STS three-star rating for CABG + Multi-procedural. Additionally, the program has been awarded the CommonSpirit Center of Excellence designation for isolated CABG (IsoCABG). We are consistently recognized by the Washington COAP surgery awards as a top-performing hospital for low mortality and high performance in key metrics, including the 2025 Cardiac Surgery Award. Furthermore, two of our surgeons were recognized as "America's Leading Doctors 2025 - Cardiothoracic Surgery" in Newsweek.
The SMMC campus underwent a $500 million expansion in 2020, and a new 74-bed North Tower opened in December 2025. The facility offers an incredible Pacific Northwest setting with mountain views. Our program features dedicated cardiac anesthesiologists, dedicated operating rooms, and specialized surgical teams. There is a strong sense of collegiality and teamwork in everything we do; our excellent outcomes are a testament to this culture and serve as the cornerstone of our program.
Job Requirements
Required
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited institution
- BC/BE; American Board of Thoracic Surgeons
- Unrestricted active Washington State Medical License or eligible to obtain
- Ability to obtain a DEA with full prescriptive authority required for the specific practice
- BLS and ACLS
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with patients, families, and healthcare professionals
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
- Commitment to excellent patient care, collaborative, team based care and long-term community engagement.
Preferred
- 5+ years experience in adult cardiac surgery highly preferred
- Fellowship; ACGME accredited cardiothoracic surgery fellowship
- New graduates with additional training will be considered
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
We offer a competitive, market-aligned compensation package:
- Competitive salary
- Sign On Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid malpractice insurance with tail coverage
- CME allowance and paid CME days
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Compensation Range: $719,000 - $1,096,000/year
Where You'll Work
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AT YOUR DOORSTEP
The Kitsap Peninsula and surrounding communities of Bainbridge Island, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Silverdale, and Poulsbo offer a lifestyle that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the country. You are minutes from trails, water, and mountains, yet a short ferry ride from the culture and amenities of Seattle.
Physicians who come here tend to stay, because the Pacific Northwest delivers:
- Pacific Northwest at your doorstep: over 250 miles of saltwater shoreline, kayaking, hiking, the Olympic National Park day trips, and year-round outdoor adventure
- Seattle without the commute: a scenic 35-minute ferry ride connects you to Seattle's world-class arts, dining, sports, and culture; leave the traffic behind
- Charming, walkable communities: Poulsbo ("Little Norway"), Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Port Orchard and Gig Harbor offer vibrant local culture, farmers markets, craft breweries, and waterfront dining
- Lower cost of living: significantly more affordable than Seattle; more home for your dollar and room to put down real roots
- Strong school systems: North Kitsap, Central Kitsap, and Bainbridge Island, school districts are consistently rated among the top in Washington State
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.
Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.
Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.
We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.
Pay Range
$719,000 - $1,096,000 /year
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As a Cardiac Surgeon at Franciscan Cardiothoracic Surgery Associates, part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) you will join our dynamic, award winning Team at the St. Michael Medical Center (SMMC) campus in Silverdale, WA. The Cardiac Surgery program at SMMC offers expertise in advanced treatment options for cardiac surgical conditions while achieving excellent outcomes.
Provide compassionate and expert care, conducting thorough assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to support the holistic well-being of patients and their families.
To be successful in this role you will be dedicated to excellent patient care and possess expertise in diagnosing and managing complex diseases with strong communication skills. You will also demonstrate a deep commitment to patient-centered care and the capacity to thrive within a collegial and supportive environment.
- Adult cardiac surgery; including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, aortic surgery, structural heart procedures, and arrhythmia surgery.
- We also offer comprehensive care for challenging cases, such as surgery for heart failure, redo cardiac surgery, and multi-valve repair and replacement.
- Currently, SMMC performs more than 300 major cardiac cases annually and recently completed its 1,000th TAVR procedure.
Our program is ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation for CABG survival rates by the CMS Hospital VBP program. SMMC is a well-respected Pacific Northwest hospital celebrating its fifth consecutive year of excellence with an STS three-star rating for CABG + Multi-procedural. Additionally, the program has been awarded the CommonSpirit Center of Excellence designation for isolated CABG (IsoCABG). We are consistently recognized by the Washington COAP surgery awards as a top-performing hospital for low mortality and high performance in key metrics, including the 2025 Cardiac Surgery Award. Furthermore, two of our surgeons were recognized as "America's Leading Doctors 2025 - Cardiothoracic Surgery" in Newsweek.
The SMMC campus underwent a $500 million expansion in 2020, and a new 74-bed North Tower opened in December 2025. The facility offers an incredible Pacific Northwest setting with mountain views. Our program features dedicated cardiac anesthesiologists, dedicated operating rooms, and specialized surgical teams. There is a strong sense of collegiality and teamwork in everything we do; our excellent outcomes are a testament to this culture and serve as the cornerstone of our program.
Job Requirements
Required
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited institution
- BC/BE; American Board of Thoracic Surgeons
- Unrestricted active Washington State Medical License or eligible to obtain
- Ability to obtain a DEA with full prescriptive authority required for the specific practice
- BLS and ACLS
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with patients, families, and healthcare professionals
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
- Commitment to excellent patient care, collaborative, team based care and long-term community engagement.
Preferred
- 5+ years experience in adult cardiac surgery highly preferred
- Fellowship; ACGME accredited cardiothoracic surgery fellowship
- New graduates with additional training will be considered
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
We offer a competitive, market-aligned compensation package:
- Competitive salary
- Sign On Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid malpractice insurance with tail coverage
- CME allowance and paid CME days
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Compensation Range: $719,000 - $1,096,000/year
Where You'll Work
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AT YOUR DOORSTEP
The Kitsap Peninsula and surrounding communities of Bainbridge Island, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Silverdale, and Poulsbo offer a lifestyle that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the country. You are minutes from trails, water, and mountains, yet a short ferry ride from the culture and amenities of Seattle.
Physicians who come here tend to stay, because the Pacific Northwest delivers:
- Pacific Northwest at your doorstep: over 250 miles of saltwater shoreline, kayaking, hiking, the Olympic National Park day trips, and year-round outdoor adventure
- Seattle without the commute: a scenic 35-minute ferry ride connects you to Seattle's world-class arts, dining, sports, and culture; leave the traffic behind
- Charming, walkable communities: Poulsbo ("Little Norway"), Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Port Orchard and Gig Harbor offer vibrant local culture, farmers markets, craft breweries, and waterfront dining
- Lower cost of living: significantly more affordable than Seattle; more home for your dollar and room to put down real roots
- Strong school systems: North Kitsap, Central Kitsap, and Bainbridge Island, school districts are consistently rated among the top in Washington State
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.
Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.
Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.
We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.
Pay Range
$719,000 - $1,096,000 /year
See all Green Card Cardiac Surgeon Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Green Card Cardiac Surgeon Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Cardiac Surgeon
Verify your credentials before applying
PERM requires your foreign medical degree to satisfy the job's minimum requirements. Confirm your credentials through ECFMG certification and, if your U.S. training is incomplete, check that your board eligibility satisfies the employer's posted requirements before any labor certification is filed.
Target academic medical centers first
Teaching hospitals and academic health systems file PERM for cardiac surgeons far more than community hospitals do. Filter your search to institutions with cardiac surgery fellowships, since those programs already have immigration infrastructure and sponsor fellows who complete training and convert to attending roles.
Search green card sponsors using Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter cardiac surgery roles by employers with active EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship history, so you're applying to institutions that have already navigated PERM for surgical specialists rather than those encountering the process for the first time.
Understand prevailing wage before negotiating
PERM fixes your offered wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for cardiac surgeons in that metro area. Look up the current rate using the OFLC Wage Search tool before you negotiate, so your offer letter meets the threshold without requiring a PERM amendment later.
Clarify the EB tier your employer intends to file
EB-2 requires a master's degree or equivalent, which most cardiac surgeons satisfy, but some employers default to EB-3. If you qualify for EB-2 and your country has a backlog at EB-3, confirm the category in writing before the I-140 petition is prepared.
Time your PERM filing around hospital credentialing
DOL's PERM process typically runs six to nine months, and state medical board licensure must already be in place before your employer can lawfully put you to work. Align your credentialing timeline with your employer's attorney so the I-140 is ready to file the moment PERM certification arrives.
Green Card Cardiac Surgeon: Frequently Asked Questions
Does cardiac surgery qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Cardiac surgery qualifies for both categories. EB-2 applies because the role requires an advanced professional degree, which your MD plus residency and fellowship training satisfies. EB-3 is available as an alternative for skilled professionals. Most employers file EB-2 for attending cardiac surgeons. Your employer's immigration attorney will confirm the appropriate classification based on the job's posted requirements and your credentials.
How does PERM green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for cardiac surgeons?
H-1B visa is a temporary work visa capped at 65,000 annually and subject to a lottery, whereas PERM leads to permanent residency with no annual numerical cap at the EB-2 or EB-3 petition level for most nationalities. The PERM process requires your employer to complete a formal labor market test through DOL before USCIS can approve the I-140. Total green card processing runs two to four years for most countries, but the outcome is permanent status rather than a visa requiring periodic renewal.
What does the PERM labor certification process require for a cardiac surgeon role?
Your employer must advertise the position through DOL-prescribed channels, document that no qualified U.S. worker was available, and submit the Application for Permanent Employment Certification to DOL. The job's minimum requirements, offered wage, and job duties must be fixed before advertising begins. USCIS then reviews the I-140 immigrant petition after DOL certifies the application. Any change to your offered wage or duties after PERM is filed can require starting the process over.
How can I find cardiac surgery jobs where the employer already sponsors green cards?
Use Migrate Mate to search cardiac surgeon roles filtered by employers with documented EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship history. Targeting institutions that have filed PERM for surgical specialists before significantly shortens your timeline, since experienced employers have established relationships with immigration counsel and understand the documentation requirements for specialty medical roles.
Can I switch employers after my PERM is filed but before I get my green card?
Once your I-140 is approved and your priority date is current, portability under AC21 lets you change employers after your I-485 adjustment of status application has been pending for 180 days or more, provided the new role is in the same or a similar occupational classification. Cardiac surgery roles generally satisfy the same-or-similar standard if the new position involves the same surgical specialty. Changing employers before I-140 approval requires your new employer to restart the PERM process.