H-1B Visa Plastic Surgeon Jobs
Plastic surgeons qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as a specialty occupation requiring a medical degree and residency training. Most positions are at hospital systems, academic medical centers, or private group practices that file LCAs with DOL and petition through USCIS. Competition for sponsored roles is real, but cap-exempt employers common in academic medicine can sidestep the lottery entirely.
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Position Basics
Type of Position: TENURE-TRACK/CLINICAL
Advertising Ends on: Extended Until Position is Filled
Advertising Started on: Thursday, September 10th, 2026
College: Carver College of Medicine
Department: Surgery
Salary
Salary: Commensurate
Position Details
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Position Description:
The University of Iowa Department of Surgery invites applications for a faculty position within the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The candidate will provide comprehensive plastic surgery care, with a focus in comprehensive breast reconstruction. Appointment will be for Assistant or Associate Professor in either the clinical-track or tenure track consistent with experience and research interest.
University of Iowa Health Care is the only academic medical center in the state, and the faculty are actively engaged in the education and training of medical students, residents, and fellows. We have an ACGME accredited Plastic Surgery Fellowship program as well as an integrated Plastic Surgery Residency.
University of Iowa Health Care is located in a Big-Ten college town. The Iowa City metropolitan area has a population of 175,000 and the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids Corridor has a population of 450,000. Iowa City and the University of Iowa provide a rich cultural environment, highlighting art, music, and literature. There are ample opportunities for spectator and participation sports as well as a wealth of outdoor activities. Iowa City is a safe and friendly community ideal for raising a family and developing a successful academic career. The community has affordable housing and outstanding schools. It is regularly ranked amongst the most desirable places to live in the United States.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to criminal background and credential check.
University of Iowa Health Care offers a competitive salary and outstanding benefits package.
Education Requirement:
Candidates must hold MD, DO or equivalent degree.
Candidates must have completed ACGME accredited training in all phases of Plastic Surgery.
Required Qualifications:
Appointment to the tenure track requires research experience at a level which enables procurement of outside funding.
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, be committed to ongoing performance improvement, and to providing care as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
Demonstrated commitment to teaching, research, and clinical excellence is required.
Certifications:
Board eligibility/certification in Plastic Surgery.
Desirable Qualifications:
Microsurgery fellowship training is strongly preferred.
Professional job-related experience fostering or promoting a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated; or demonstrated the ability to do so.
Online Application Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Name and Contact Information of References
- Letter of Interest
- Number of References: 4
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact Information
Contact: Julie A Portz - julie-portz@uiowa.edu
Cmed-Surgery
Colloton Pavilion
160 Hawkins Drive
1562 JCP
Iowa City, IA 52242
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Plastic Surgeon
Verify your ECFMG certification before applying
International medical graduates need active ECFMG certification before any U.S. employer can file an H-1B petition. Confirm your certification status is current and matches your specialty board documentation, since gaps here stall the petition at USCIS.
Target cap-exempt employers first
Hospitals affiliated with universities and nonprofit research institutions are cap-exempt, so your H-1B doesn't depend on the annual lottery. Academic medical centers and teaching hospitals regularly sponsor plastic surgeons outside the 85,000 cap-subject slot system.
Search LCA filing history on Migrate Mate
Filter by SOC code 29-1249 to see which employers have filed Labor Condition Applications for plastic surgeon roles. This shows you which institutions have a documented track record of H-1B sponsorship before you invest time in an application.
Confirm the offered wage meets DOL prevailing wage
Run your specific job title, geographic area, and experience level through OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer. The LCA must certify that your wage meets at least the Level I prevailing wage for your location, and underpaying invalidates the petition.
Ask employers about malpractice coverage during H-1B
Some group practices assume the physician carries independent malpractice coverage, but H-1B status ties you to the petitioning employer. Clarify in writing whether tail coverage and active policy premiums are employer-provided before the I-129 petition is filed.
Request premium processing if your start date is fixed
If your hospital privileges or OR scheduling depend on a specific start date, ask your employer to file Form I-907 for 15-business-day adjudication. Standard processing through USCIS currently runs several months and can conflict with credentialing timelines.
H-1B Visa Plastic Surgeon: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a plastic surgery fellowship in the U.S. help with H-1B sponsorship?
A fellowship completed at a cap-exempt institution can itself be sponsored under H-1B without lottery exposure. More importantly, it builds a U.S. employment record that strengthens your I-129 petition. Many academic medical centers that sponsor fellows for H-1B will also sponsor the attending position that follows, making the fellowship a practical pipeline into a sponsored role.
Which types of employers most commonly sponsor H-1B visas for plastic surgeons?
Academic medical centers, university hospital systems, and large multispecialty group practices with nonprofit status are the most active sponsors. These organizations are frequently cap-exempt, file LCAs regularly with DOL, and have in-house or retained immigration counsel. Smaller private practices can sponsor but rarely have the administrative infrastructure to manage the process efficiently. Search Migrate Mate to see which employers have active H-1B filing history for surgical roles.
How does the H-1B specialty occupation requirement apply to plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery satisfies the specialty occupation definition under USCIS rules because the role requires at minimum a medical degree, specialty residency, and in most cases fellowship training in a directly related field. The O*NET profile for surgeons classifies the role as Job Zone 5, the highest complexity tier, which supports the specialty occupation designation. Employers rarely face RFEs on this point for board-certified or board-eligible plastic surgeons.
Can a plastic surgeon change employers during an active H-1B without losing status?
Yes, under AC21 portability you can begin working for a new employer as soon as that employer files a new H-1B petition on your behalf, provided your current petition has been approved and is not the subject of a fraud investigation. Your new employer must file before your current authorized period expires. The new LCA must reflect the correct prevailing wage for the new position and location.
What documents should I prepare before a plastic surgery employer files my H-1B petition?
You'll need your medical degree and transcripts, ECFMG certification, residency and fellowship completion certificates, state medical license or proof of application, board certification documentation or exam scores, and a valid passport. Your employer's legal team will also need a detailed job description matching your SOC code so the LCA accurately reflects the role. Having these organized in advance reduces back-and-forth that delays USCIS filing.