Trauma Surgery - Physician - Des Moines - $150,000 Recruitment Incentive
Quick facts
- Pay
- $504,797 base salary + $150,000 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: Advancing Trauma Care. Leading Central Iowa.
MercyOne is seeking a full-time, fellowship-trained Trauma Surgeon to join busy team at high volume Level II Trauma Center. The opportunity offers a comprehensive scope of emergency general services, trauma care and acute surgical services within a fast-paced environment. J1 and H1B applicants encouraged to apply.
Job Opportunity Details
- Join a team of 6 Physicians and 12 APPs
- 15 shifts per month; combination of days and nights
- 1 clinic day per week
- Unrestricted shared night EGS back up call
- Full scope of Trauma role (OR, Rounding, Clinic and Critical Care)
- Robotics incorporated into acute care surgery
- 16 Bed CSICU co-managed with Pulmonary and Critical Care
- General Surgery Residency Adjunct Faculty
- EMR: EPIC
Competitive Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary: $504,797
- Recruitment Incentive: $150,000
- Moving allowance up to $15,000
- Annual CME allowance of $6,000
- Malpractice with tail coverage
- Retirement options (403B with match + 457B)
- Benefits begin day one
Living in Des Moines, IA!
- 4th most livable metro in the U.S
- A cost of living that is 17% lower than the national average
- Outstanding schools and safe neighborhoods
- Variety of attractions, recreational and cultural entertainment
- Abundance of parks and outdoor recreation
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center established in 1893, has been a leading Catholic Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. It is a Level II Trauma and Primary Stroke Center, one of Iowa’s largest full-service multi-specialty hospitals with 875 beds and more than 800 physicians across 30 specialties. Renowned for its comprehensive healthcare offerings and commitment to patient-centered care, it offers specialized services, including Emergency and Trauma Care, Heart and Vascular Care, Cancer Care, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Surgery and Rehabilitation. With Integration of comprehensive services, skilled professionals, advanced technology and patient centered care, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center continues to be Iowa’s leading healthcare Center. MercyOne Des Moines Trauma Center | MercyOne
Be at the forefront of trauma care innovation in Central Iowa, helping to grow programs, refine clinical pathways, and strengthen regional access.
To Learn More Contact:
Cory Pulido, Provider Recruiter
cory.pulido@mercyone.org
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 $504,797 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.