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UnitedHealth Group
Gilbert, Arizona · Hybrid

Rheumatologist-Optum

RheumatologyFull-Time

Listed compensation

$224k-$371k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

We are seeking an experienced Rheumatology Physician to provide clinical leadership and support an established rheumatology practice serving patients throughout the Colorado Springs and Littleton communities.

This unique opportunity offers significant flexibility and can be tailored to align with the right candidate's professional goals, whether they are interested in direct patient care, physician leadership, practice oversight, APP supervision, or a combination of responsibilities. The physician will play a critical role in ensuring ongoing clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and operational continuity within the practice.

If you have the ability to be in-office in Littleton Colorado at least once per month, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges. This position follows a hybrid schedule with three in-office days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Provide rheumatology expertise and clinical leadership to support practice operations
  • Supervise and collaborate with Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable state, regulatory, and organizational requirements
  • Serve as the physician leader and support the ongoing management of the practice's professional corporation structure, as applicable
  • Promote high-quality, patient-centered care and clinical best practices
  • Partner with operational and clinical teams to maintain a safe and effective care environment
  • Support physician oversight responsibilities necessary to meet practice and regulatory requirements

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

  • MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school
  • Board Certified in Rheumatology
  • Active and unrestricted Colorado medical license, or ability to obtain licensure
  • Experience practicing as a Rheumatologist
  • Experience supervising and collaborating with Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)
  • Understanding of physician practice operations, compliance, and regulatory requirements
  • Proven solid leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
  • Driver’s License and access to a reliable transportation

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

  • Exceptional flexibility in practice structure and day-to-day responsibilities
  • Ability to tailor clinical, supervisory, and leadership responsibilities based on the physician's interests and availability
  • Opportunity to support an established practice while maintaining work-life balance
  • Collaborative environment with experienced APPs and operational support teams
  • Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient access and continuity of care in the community

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

Compensation for this specialty generally ranges from $224,000 - $371,000. Total cash compensation includes base pay and bonus and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role.

We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life.

Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes.

We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Key Responsibilities

The physician will provide clinical leadership and support for an established rheumatology practice, including the supervision of Advanced Practice Providers. They are responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an MD or DO degree and be Board Certified in Rheumatology with an active Colorado medical license. Proven experience in rheumatology practice, leadership, and the supervision of Advanced Practice Providers is required.

Qualifications

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

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Practice management

Rheumatology — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Arizona is 100.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$298k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $295k in an average-cost state. 60.3% of Arizona clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Physician pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Rheumatologist-Optum at UnitedHealth Group a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Physician roles — ranked against 21,942 active Physician roles listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include remote work flexibility.

Top Rheumatologist Jobs

7 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution7 jobs · 5 employers

1
$327k
4
$350k-375k
1
$375k
1
$420k

Annual compensation range

#1

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#2

Physician - Rheumatologist

Community Health Centers of America · Turlock, California

$300k-$375k
#3

Rheumatologist | Unity Health

$224k-$371k
#4

Rheumatologist | Reliant Medical Group

$224k-$371k
+ 5 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 6.0
Better work-life than 50% of Rheumatology listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 166 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Hybrid
  • Remote
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About UnitedHealth Group

Hospitals and Health Care
Eden Prairie , Minnesota
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive benefits package
Incentive and recognition programs
Equity stock purchase
401k contribution