Green Card Thoracic Surgeon Jobs
Thoracic surgeons pursuing U.S. permanent residency typically qualify under EB-2 or EB-3 through employer-sponsored PERM labor certification. Because thoracic surgery is a federally designated shortage specialty, many hospital systems and academic medical centers actively initiate green card sponsorship, making this one of the more accessible pathways for foreign-trained surgeons.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a board-certified Thoracic Surgeon to join our Thoracic Surgery Associates team. This role focuses on thoracic (non-cardiac) procedures, including lung resections and chest wall reconstruction, with a strong emphasis on minimally invasive and robotic techniques (RATS).
The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in robotic and minimally invasive thoracic surgery and will contribute to clinical, strategic, and programmatic growth, including leadership of a high-performing thoracic oncology program.
This position offers the opportunity to play a central role in expanding thoracic surgical services and advancing clinical quality, patient experience, and system-wide excellence.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Position Requirements
Clinical Excellence
- Perform complex thoracic procedures with a focus on lung surgery, including:
- Lobectomy
- Segmentectomy and lung-sparing resections
- Minimum of 5–8 years of post-training experience preferred
- Advanced skills and formal credentialing in:
- da Vinci robotic surgery
- Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
- Evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients with thoracic surgical conditions
Academic / Research
- Board Certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to academic programs, teaching, and clinical research
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Participate in multidisciplinary tumor boards and care conferences
- Collaborate with medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonology, radiology, pathology, and primary care
- Assist with development of coordinated, patient-centered treatment plans
- Facilitate appropriate referrals and continuity of care
Quality and Patient Experience
- Adhere to evidence-based clinical guidelines
- Support quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
- Participate in peer review and quality assurance activities
- Contribute to organizational goals related to access, outcomes, and patient satisfaction
Call Coverage
- Participate in an equitable call rotation
- Provide consultation and emergency thoracic surgical services as needed
Non-Clinical Responsibilities
Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Thoracic Surgery FTE Breakdown
- tbd % Clinical
- tbd % Administrative (Program Director role)
Program Development
- Support growth and expansion of thoracic surgery services
- Participate in strategic initiatives to expand access
- Direct the strategic vision and standardized care pathways of the thoracic surgery service line.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- MD or DO
- Completion of accredited General Surgery residency
- Completion of accredited Thoracic/Cardiothoracic Surgery fellowship
- Board Certified in Thoracic Surgery
- Eligible for unrestricted California medical license
- DEA registration and hospital privileging eligibility
Experience:
- Preference for 8 years of attending experience with a strong track record in VATS and RATS
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong clinical and surgical judgment
- Expertise in thoracic disease management
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary care model
- Commitment to high-quality, safe, patient-centered care
- Ability to build collaborative relationships across teams
JOIN US AND ENJOY:
Practice Characteristics
- Integrated multispecialty medical group environment
- Access to advanced imaging, oncology, pulmonology, and critical care
- Active multidisciplinary thoracic oncology program
- Emphasis on minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery
- Focus on coordinated, high-quality patient care
- Participation in system-wide thoracic oncology initiatives
Benefits
- Signing bonus
- Comprehensive benefits package and CME allowance
- Robust retirement plan
- Relocation assistance
- Opportunities for teaching, research, leadership, and mentorship
ORGANIZATION DETAILS
Sutter West Bay Medical Group (SWBMG) is a premier multispecialty group with approximately 380 physicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. In partnership with Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation (SPMF), physicians practice in a collaborative environment supported by strong administrative infrastructure, enabling a focus on high-quality patient care.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
San Francisco is a leading cultural and financial center known for its diversity, innovation, and access to world-class dining, arts, and outdoor activities. The region offers a unique opportunity to care for a diverse population with complex medical needs.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Sutter West Bay Medical Group is committed to equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals and prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics. We actively promote an inclusive and equitable workplace across all aspects of employment.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a board-certified Thoracic Surgeon to join our Thoracic Surgery Associates team. This role focuses on thoracic (non-cardiac) procedures, including lung resections and chest wall reconstruction, with a strong emphasis on minimally invasive and robotic techniques (RATS).
The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in robotic and minimally invasive thoracic surgery and will contribute to clinical, strategic, and programmatic growth, including leadership of a high-performing thoracic oncology program.
This position offers the opportunity to play a central role in expanding thoracic surgical services and advancing clinical quality, patient experience, and system-wide excellence.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Position Requirements
Clinical Excellence
- Perform complex thoracic procedures with a focus on lung surgery, including:
- Lobectomy
- Segmentectomy and lung-sparing resections
- Minimum of 5–8 years of post-training experience preferred
- Advanced skills and formal credentialing in:
- da Vinci robotic surgery
- Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
- Evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients with thoracic surgical conditions
Academic / Research
- Board Certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to academic programs, teaching, and clinical research
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Participate in multidisciplinary tumor boards and care conferences
- Collaborate with medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonology, radiology, pathology, and primary care
- Assist with development of coordinated, patient-centered treatment plans
- Facilitate appropriate referrals and continuity of care
Quality and Patient Experience
- Adhere to evidence-based clinical guidelines
- Support quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
- Participate in peer review and quality assurance activities
- Contribute to organizational goals related to access, outcomes, and patient satisfaction
Call Coverage
- Participate in an equitable call rotation
- Provide consultation and emergency thoracic surgical services as needed
Non-Clinical Responsibilities
Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Thoracic Surgery FTE Breakdown
- tbd % Clinical
- tbd % Administrative (Program Director role)
Program Development
- Support growth and expansion of thoracic surgery services
- Participate in strategic initiatives to expand access
- Direct the strategic vision and standardized care pathways of the thoracic surgery service line.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- MD or DO
- Completion of accredited General Surgery residency
- Completion of accredited Thoracic/Cardiothoracic Surgery fellowship
- Board Certified in Thoracic Surgery
- Eligible for unrestricted California medical license
- DEA registration and hospital privileging eligibility
Experience:
- Preference for 8 years of attending experience with a strong track record in VATS and RATS
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong clinical and surgical judgment
- Expertise in thoracic disease management
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary care model
- Commitment to high-quality, safe, patient-centered care
- Ability to build collaborative relationships across teams
JOIN US AND ENJOY:
Practice Characteristics
- Integrated multispecialty medical group environment
- Access to advanced imaging, oncology, pulmonology, and critical care
- Active multidisciplinary thoracic oncology program
- Emphasis on minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery
- Focus on coordinated, high-quality patient care
- Participation in system-wide thoracic oncology initiatives
Benefits
- Signing bonus
- Comprehensive benefits package and CME allowance
- Robust retirement plan
- Relocation assistance
- Opportunities for teaching, research, leadership, and mentorship
ORGANIZATION DETAILS
Sutter West Bay Medical Group (SWBMG) is a premier multispecialty group with approximately 380 physicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. In partnership with Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation (SPMF), physicians practice in a collaborative environment supported by strong administrative infrastructure, enabling a focus on high-quality patient care.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
San Francisco is a leading cultural and financial center known for its diversity, innovation, and access to world-class dining, arts, and outdoor activities. The region offers a unique opportunity to care for a diverse population with complex medical needs.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Sutter West Bay Medical Group is committed to equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals and prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics. We actively promote an inclusive and equitable workplace across all aspects of employment.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Thoracic Surgeon
Verify your board credentials transfer cleanly
PERM labor certification requires your employer to document that you meet the stated minimum requirements. Get your foreign medical degree evaluated by a USCIS-recognized credential assessment body before the recruitment phase starts, so there are no gaps in your qualification record.
Target hospitals with J-1 waiver Conrad 30 history
Academic medical centers and underserved-area hospitals that have sponsored J-1 visa Conrad 30 waivers are already structured for physician immigration filings. They understand the PERM recruitment requirements and have HR and legal teams familiar with physician green card timelines.
Search green card sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters thoracic surgery roles by employers with active EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship history, so you can focus your applications on institutions already committed to PERM filings rather than negotiating sponsorship from scratch.
Understand the PERM recruitment audit window
DOL requires employers to conduct and document a U.S. worker recruitment campaign before filing PERM. Confirm with any prospective employer that their recruitment process is audit-ready, since DOL audits in surgical specialties are not uncommon and add six to twelve months to the timeline.
File I-140 concurrently to lock your priority date
Once your employer submits the PERM application, request that they file the I-140 immigrant petition immediately upon PERM certification. Locking in your priority date early matters most if your birth country faces EB-3 backlog, since the cutoff date is set the month USCIS receives your petition.
Use the OFLC Wage Search before salary negotiations
PERM requires your offered wage to meet or exceed the DOL prevailing wage for thoracic surgeons in your specific metro area. Run the OFLC Wage Search for your target city before accepting an offer, so you know whether the employer's number satisfies the Level I through Level IV wage threshold required for a defensible PERM filing.
Green Card Thoracic Surgeon: Frequently Asked Questions
Do thoracic surgeons qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Most thoracic surgeons qualify under EB-2 because the role requires a medical degree plus a surgical specialty residency and fellowship, which meets the advanced-degree standard. Employers can also file under EB-3 as a fallback if needed. The right classification depends on how your employer structures the PERM job requirements, so confirm that language before the filing begins.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for a thoracic surgeon?
H-1B visa grants temporary status in two-to-three-year increments and is subject to the annual cap lottery. Green card sponsorship through PERM and I-140 leads to permanent residency with no renewal cycle and no cap concerns at the EB-3 level for most countries. The tradeoff is timeline: the PERM process adds twelve to thirty-six months before you can file to adjust status, compared to a faster H-1B initial approval.
How can I find hospitals actively sponsoring thoracic surgeons for green cards?
Migrate Mate lets you search thoracic surgery openings filtered by employers with documented EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship activity. Academic medical centers, large health systems, and hospitals in federally designated underserved areas tend to sponsor most consistently, since physician shortages in surgical specialties make international recruitment a standard part of their staffing strategy.
Can I switch employers after my green card sponsorship starts?
Yes, with conditions. If your I-140 has been approved and is at least 180 days old, you can port the underlying petition to a new employer in the same or similar occupational classification under the AC21 portability rules without restarting the PERM process. Thoracic surgery is a narrow specialty, so confirm the new role description aligns closely enough with your approved I-140 before resigning.
What does the PERM labor certification process require from a thoracic surgeon employer?
The employer must conduct a DOL-prescribed recruitment campaign to demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers are available for the role. For a thoracic surgery position this typically includes journal advertising, job posting on the DOL job board, and internal posting, all completed within a specific window. USCIS then reviews the I-140 only after DOL certifies the PERM application, so the employer drives most of the timeline in the first phase.