H-1B Visa Cardiac Surgeon Jobs
Cardiac surgeons are in high demand at academic medical centers, health systems, and specialty heart institutes across the U.S., and most sponsor H-1B visas for qualified candidates. Board certification, fellowship training, and state licensure timelines all affect how employers structure your sponsorship petition.
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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 H-1B Visa Cardiac Surgeon Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Cardiac Surgeon Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Cardiac Surgeon
Verify your credentials translate for USCIS
Foreign medical degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency before USCIS will accept them in an H-1B petition. Get an credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized agency and confirm your ECFMG certification is current before any employer files.
Target hospitals with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by LCA filing history for cardiac surgery roles, so you're applying to health systems that have already navigated H-1B sponsorship for surgeons, not ones encountering the process for the first time.
Align your fellowship completion with cap deadlines
H-1B cap petitions must be filed in April for an October 1 start. If your fellowship ends in June or July, confirm your employer can file the following cycle or explore cap-exempt hospital and university positions that let you start sooner.
Confirm the role meets specialty occupation requirements
USCIS requires the position to directly require a medical degree in a specific field. Ask your employer to document that the cardiac surgery role requires an M.D. or D.O. with cardiothoracic surgery training, not just a general physician credential.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Your employer's LCA must certify your salary meets the DOL prevailing wage for cardiac surgeons in that geographic area. Run the OFLC Wage Search using SOC code 29-1243 before finalizing your contract so there are no surprises at filing.
Request premium processing if your start date is tight
USCIS premium processing guarantees a decision within 15 business days. If your credentialing, state licensure, or hospital privileging timelines are compressed, ask your employer to include premium processing in the petition from the start.
H-1B Visa Cardiac Surgeon: Frequently Asked Questions
Do most hospitals sponsor H-1B visas for cardiac surgeons?
Academic medical centers, university-affiliated hospitals, and large health systems regularly sponsor H-1B visas for cardiac surgeons because the specialty is in sustained short supply. Smaller community hospitals are less consistent. Searching Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for employers with documented LCA filing history in cardiac surgery, so you're not guessing at sponsorship willingness.
Does my foreign medical degree qualify me for an H-1B as a cardiac surgeon?
Yes, provided your degree is evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. M.D. by a NACES-recognized credential evaluation service and you hold valid ECFMG certification. USCIS will require both documents as part of the specialty occupation evidence package your employer submits with Form I-129.
Can I work as a cardiac surgeon on H-1B before obtaining full state licensure?
USCIS allows H-1B approval for physicians who have passed USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 and are in the process of obtaining state licensure, but the employer must demonstrate you'll be fully licensed before you begin independent practice. Many hospitals structure the role as a supervised fellowship or residency continuation during the licensing gap.
How does the H-1B cap lottery affect cardiac surgeon hiring?
Cardiac surgeons hired by private hospitals and most health systems are subject to the annual H-1B cap and lottery. However, positions at nonprofit research hospitals, universities, and certain government-affiliated medical centers are cap-exempt, meaning your employer can file at any point in the year without waiting for the April registration window.
What happens to my H-1B status if I change employers mid-authorization?
H-1B portability under AC21 lets you move to a new employer once your petition has been pending for 180 days, as long as the new role is in the same or a similar occupational classification. For cardiac surgeons, the new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before your current status expires, and you can start work once the transfer receipt is issued.