Surgical Oncology - Physician - Des Moines - $200,000 Bonus
Quick facts
- Pay
- $600,000 income guarantee (2 years), $200,000 recruitment incentive
- Type
- Full-time
- Location
- Des Moines, IA
- Background
- MD / physician
- Industry
- Health and Care — 3087 open jobs
- Visa in listing
- H-1B
- Apply
- Free to apply — never pay anyone for a job offer or visa sponsorship
Job description
Employment Type: Full time Shift:
Description:
MercyOne Iowa is seeking a fellowship-trained, board-certified Surgical Oncologist to join our team of a surgical oncologist and an advanced practice provider. We are looking for a dynamic, collaborative physician who is passionate about innovation and eager to support in expanding our well-established statewide cancer service line, shaping the future of surgical oncology in central Iowa and tertiary service area of 1.5 million. J-1 and H-1B visa candidates are welcome to apply.
Opportunity Highlights
- Case Mix: Solid tumor surgery, cytoreduction ± HIPEC,
major GI resections, thyroid/parathyroidectomy,
Whipple, and wide local excision ± SLN mapping - DaVinci Xi robotic platform with teaching consoles
- Onsite medical imaging, lab and pharmacy
- Block OR Time
- Clinic 2 half days
- EMR: EPIC
- General Surgery Residency Faculty
Opportunity Details
- 2-year income guarantee $600,000
- Recruitment Incentive $200,000
- Moving allowance up to $15,000
- Paid malpractice with tail coverage
- 403B with match and 457B savings plan
- CME annual allowance up to $6,000
- Day One benefit
MercyOne Cancer Center is certified by American College of Surgeons - Commission on Cancer, NAPRC, and NABC with treatment decisions guided by multidisciplinary tumor board discussions. It is a cornerstone of comprehensive cancer care in Iowa, delivering advanced treatment options through an integrated network that emphasizes quality, innovation, and compassionate care. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to provide patients with exceptional outcomes through leading-edge therapies and a multidisciplinary approach.
Our program offers:
- Comprehensive Surgical Services: Expertise in the surgical management of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and soft tissue malignancies, utilizing advanced minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques.
- Collaborative Care Model: Surgical oncologists work closely with medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and specialized oncology nurses to ensure seamless, patient-centered care.
- Innovation & Research: Opportunities to participate in clinical trials, adopt emerging technologies, and contribute to evidence-based protocols that shape the future of cancer care.
- Advanced Radiation Oncology: Cutting-edge therapies such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image guided radiation therapy (IGRT).
- Medical Oncology Expertise: A full spectrum of systemic therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted treatments.
- Integrative Oncology and Patient Support Services: Our program offers comprehensive support for patients and survivors, including dieticians, social workers, palliative and mental health care, support groups, sexual health counseling, and integrative therapies such as music, art, yoga, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and OMM.
Greater Des Moines is consistently ranked nationally among the best places to live with low cost of living and strong job market. Spend Saturdays at the nationally renowned Downtown Farmers' Market and afternoons strolling in the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Bike to the job you love and come home to the community of friends and family. Enjoy abundant trails for walking, running and biking. Surrounding suburbs are known for top-notch schools, clean and safe neighborhoods. Cultural events, music and art festivals, the Iowa State Fair and Iowa Cubs games at Principal Park are just a few attractions Des Moines has to offer. This is a place where culture flourishes and opportunities can grow, where a work/life balance can be achieved, where education is unmatched and award-winning arts and entertainment is always just around the corner. Live life without compromise.
Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
Visa sponsorship record: Trinity Health
Sponsors actively| Fiscal year | H-1B LCAs | USCIS approvals | USCIS denials | PERM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | 21 | 3 | 0 | — |
| FY2025 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| FY2024 | 10 | 10 | 0 | — |
✔ Trinity Health filed 8 H-1B applications for this kind of role (Physicians, All Other) in the period above.
Also filed: H-1B1 Chile × 5 — a good sign for Australian (E-3), Chilean and Singaporean (H-1B1) candidates.
Roles they sponsor most
- medical technologist8 LCAs · median $69k
- hospitalist6 LCAs · median $344k
- certified nursing assistant3 LCAs · median $44k
- family medicine physician2 LCAs · median $355k
- healthcare specialist2 LCAs · median $44k
Which visas can work for this job
Occupation: Physicians, All Other (SOC 29-1229) — estimated from the job title.
- Mentioned in the listing
H-1B
- H-1B cap-exempt employer
Regular cap-subject employer — a new H-1B needs to win the lottery in March (unless you already hold cap-counted H-1B status).
- TN (citizens of Canada and Mexico)
This kind of role may fit the USMCA profession “Physician (teaching or research only)” — it depends on the actual duties. No lottery, no cap; you need the matching degree or license.
- E-3 (Australia) and H-1B1 (Chile, Singapore)
This employer has filed before (H-1B1 Chile: 5). Same degree requirement as H-1B, but no lottery and a separate quota that is rarely filled.
- O-1 (extraordinary ability)
For candidates with awards, publications, press, a high salary or critical roles at distinguished organizations. No cap, no lottery; the employer files a petition.
- Green card (EB-2 / EB-3 via PERM)
Filed 1 PERM labor certification: they have a track record of sponsoring permanent residence.
Salary vs prevailing wage
Level IV (fully competent)Physicians, All Other · Iowa (state median of areas). Annual prevailing wages set by the Department of Labor (OFLC).
| Level | Prevailing wage | H-1B lottery odds* |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | $93,881 | ~15% |
| Level II | $178,006 | ~31% |
| Level III | $247,936 | ~46% |
| Level IV | $317,876 | ~61% |
This job pays $600,000 a year — that's Level IV (fully competent). In the wage-weighted H-1B lottery a Level IV registration gets 4 entries; estimated selection chance about 61% — better than average.
* Odds are DHS projections for the FY2027 wage-weighted lottery (actual results vary by year and employer). Since the FY2027 cap season the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level: Level I = 1 entry, II = 2, III = 3, IV = 4. The level is set by the offered wage against the prevailing wage for the occupation and worksite. Separately, a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions for workers outside the US was announced in 2025; as of September 2026 a federal court ruling keeps it unenforceable while appeals continue — check the current status.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC disclosure data (H-1B/H-1B1/E-3 LCA, PERM), OFLC prevailing wage data, USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub, E-Verify participating employers. Data loaded: LCA FY2024–FY2026, PERM, USCIS Data Hub, OFLC wages; updated 2026-10-03. Employers are matched by name, so records of companies with similar names can occasionally be mixed up. This is general information, not legal advice — talk to an immigration attorney about your case.