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Tenet Healthcare
Modesto, California

Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician

SurgeryIncludes callNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$501K - $862K

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Why Join Us

Doctors Medical Center is a 465-bed, Joint Commission–accredited hospital in the heart of California's Central Valley, offering a rare combination of advanced surgical technology and a collegial, mission-driven environment.

As part of Central Valley Doctors Health System Physician Group's growing multi-specialty group, you'll step into a fully supported cardiothoracic program with an active TAVR program, ECMO capabilities, and a hybrid OR — everything you need to practice at the highest level.

This is a full-time employed opportunity designed for a surgeon who wants to lead complex cases without the administrative burden of private practice. If you're looking for clinical excellence, work-life balance, and a place to build something lasting, Modesto is ready for you.

Position Highlights

  • Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery — full-time, employed position
  • Practice Mix: 80% inpatient / 20% outpatient
  • Call Schedule: 1:3
  • OR Access: Monday–Friday scheduled OR time
  • Facility: 465-bed multi-specialty hospital with 15 OR rooms, 1 Hybrid Room, and 3 Xi Da Vinci robotic systems
  • Advanced Capabilities: Active TAVR program, ECMO, 5 Cath Labs, 1 EP Lab with 2022 FDA-approved Insight X System and Medtronic Cryoablation
  • ICU Support: 44 total ICU beds across 4 dedicated units (ICU, SICU, CVICU,

NCCU)

  • Team Support: CV PAs, RNFAs, and dedicated cardiac nursing teams

What We Offer

  • Competitive employed compensation: $501,269 – $862,238
  • Access to specialized equipment including Hybrid OR, Xi Da Vinci robotic systems, and dedicated cardiac cath and EP labs
  • Dedicated CV PAs, RNFAs, and specialized nursing support teams
  • Integration into a large, established multi-specialty group
  • Malpractice insurance provided
  • Health, dental, and life insurance
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Deferred compensation program
  • Relocation assistance

Candidate Requirements

  • MD or DO degree required
  • Board Eligible or Board Certified in Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • California licensed or eligible to obtain California licensure

Why Modesto

Modesto sits at the crossroads of Northern California, perfectly positioned halfway between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park — giving you world-class urban culture and Sierra Nevada adventure all within easy reach.

The city punches above its weight with a thriving live music scene ranked #1 among "America's Hidden Gems," a dynamic food culture driven by the region's legendary agricultural bounty, and a growing arts community that brings international muralists downtown every year.

Cost of living remains significantly lower than the Bay Area, stretching your compensation further while keeping you close to some of California's most breathtaking outdoor recreation.

With top-rated regional schools, family-friendly events year-round, and a genuine community feel, Modesto is a place where physicians put down roots — and don't look back.

Doctors Medical Center (DMC), part of the Central Valley Doctors Health System, is the largest full-care hospital between Stockton and Fresno, and from the Sierras to the San Francisco Bay Area, with a 394-bed general acute care and a 67-bed inpatient psychiatric capacity.

DMC is known for providing comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and emergency care.

Doctors Medical Center offers a wide range of services including cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, emergency and trauma services, minimally-invasive and robotic surgery, women and childrens services, medical/surgical, behavioral health, oncology and critical/intensive care. Join our team!

Key Responsibilities

Lead complex cardiothoracic surgical cases within a fully supported program including TAVR and ECMO capabilities. Manage a practice mix of 80% inpatient and 20% outpatient care while collaborating with a multi-specialty group.

Requirements

Must hold an MD or DO degree and be Board Eligible or Board Certified in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Candidates must possess or be eligible to obtain a California medical license.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
10+ years of experience

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Inpatient CareClinical LeadershipCritical Care

Surgery — Physician Career Context

Of the 45 active Surgery listings this role was benchmarked against, 4% are remote, 91% have no call, 67% require no weekends.

Surgery pay on WeekdayDoc is down 11.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Surgeon Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution38 jobs · 13 employers

18
$300k
11
$350k-650k
9
$650k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks36 jobs · 13 employers

401k / retirement match
67% this job
Sign-on bonus
36%
Relocation assistance
25% this job
CME allowance
6%
Loan repayment
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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$750k-$750k
#3

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+ 36 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.5this job 5.1
Better work-life than 60% of Surgery listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,103 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • Includes call

Living in Modesto

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$436k≈ 0.9× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,021/mo≈ 5% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
30 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
104.1
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Modesto, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Tenet Healthcare

Hospitals and Health Care
Dallas, Texas
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Malpractice insurance
Health, dental, and life insurance
401(k) with employer matching
Deferred compensation program
Relocation assistance
Access to specialized equipment including Hybrid OR, Xi Da Vinci robotic systems, and dedicated cardiac cath and EP labs
Dedicated CV PAs, RNFAs, and specialized nursing support teams
Integration into a large, established multi-specialty group