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UnityPoint Health
Waukee, Iowa

Critical Care - Physician - Des Moines, IA

Critical Care MedicineFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not disclosed

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 2h ago · Verified live

Job description

Overview
Critical Care - Physician – Des Moines, IA
UnityPoint Health is actively recruiting for a Critical Care Physician to join our team in Des Moines, Iowa. Choose a career that matters at UnityPoint Health. At UnityPoint Health, we believe that our patient-centered vision and physician-driven philosophy, along with our one team approach, ensures every patient knows just how much they matter to this world. Commitment to our team has earned us recognition as a Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare by Becker’s Healthcare. Come be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. At UnityPoint Health, you matter.
UnityPoint Clinic
UnityPoint Clinic is a physician-led, nonprofit health care organization offering comprehensive services in primary care, walk-in care and specialty care. The clinical teams at the area’s clinics are improving outcomes, lowering the number of hospital readmissions and reducing avoidable costs associated with treating chronic conditions. The UnityPoint Clinic team is known for excellence and quality patient care putting patients at the center of their care to provide the best level of health and well-being.
Des Moines
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines provides coordinated clinic, hospital and home-based care for patients in Des Moines and Central Iowa. Physicians and providers are supported by our state-of-the-art UnityPoint Health – Des Moines hospitals: Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Blank Children’s Hospital, and Methodist West Hospital. In addition, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines is proud to provide comprehensive, cutting-edge cancer services at the John Stoddard Cancer Center. UnityPoint Health – Des Moines is continually recognized for outstanding patient care and the role we play in our communities. These include the Beacon Award of Excellence at both Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Iowa Lutheran Hospital and the Best Hospital/Healthcare System and Best Company to Work For by readers of the Des Moines Business Record.
Position Highlights
7-on/7-off schedule focused exclusively on inpatient critical care, with no outpatient clinic responsibilities.
On-site radiology and strong multidisciplinary specialty support.
Join a growing, employed pulmonary and critical care program with the opportunity to help shape clinical workflows, care standards, and future services.
Collegial department supported by experienced respiratory therapists, nurses, APPs, and physicians.
Supportive clinical mentorship available for physicians completing training or beginning their careers.
Engaged administrative leadership committed to growing critical care services.
Opportunities to teach.
Option to attend weekly noon CME lectures offered through the internal medicine programs in Des Moines and at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive care for critically ill patients.
Lead daily multidisciplinary rounds and coordinate care across nursing, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, consulting specialties, and other clinical teams.
Evaluate and manage a broad range of critical illnesses, including respiratory failure, sepsis, shock, and complex multisystem disease.
Provide ventilator management and perform bedside critical care procedures.
Collaborate closely with the in-house APP.
Promote evidence-based practice, patient safety, clinical quality, and efficient ICU operations.
Participate in quality improvement and ICU operational initiatives.
Contribute to the continued development and expansion of the critical care program.
Educate and mentor residents and medical students.
Qualifications
Qualifications
MD or DO
Board Eligible or Board Certified in Critical Care
Ability to obtain and hold an unrestricted license to practice in the state of Iowa
Hold current and unrestricted state and federal authority to prescribe and administer medications as necessary or appropriate to the physician’s field of practice
Eligible to work in the United States (H1-B cap exempt)
J-1 waiver sponsorship available
We offer
Shift-based compensation model with performance incentives
Competitive compensation package
A competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what stage of life you are in.
Generous time off and CME allowance, malpractice insurance, retirement contributions and more
Dedicated provider resources to positively impact providers work-life balance
Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, including a free third-party service for loan restructuring and consolidation.
A commitment to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
Support and development opportunities that are a crucial part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.
A culture guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what’s right for the people we serve.
Community Details
Des Moines
Greater Des Moines (DSM) is a community that invests in itself, that is powered by multi-national corporations and also supports small, locally owned businesses. DSM is a community committed to cultivating an inclusive, equitable environment for people of all background. Whether you’re looking for vibrant, urban living or a fresh start in the surrounding suburbs, Greater Des Moines (DSM) has many communities to call home. Learn why Des Moines is one of the fastest-growing major metros in the nation and an amazing place to call home.
Please contact Abby Hall, Physician Recruiter, at Abigail. Hall3@unitypoint. org

Qualifications

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

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Critical care medicineBedside proceduresMultidisciplinary team coordinationClinical quality improvementInpatient careSepsis managementShock managementRespiratory failure management

Critical Care Medicine — Physician Career Context

Of the 50 active Physician listings this role was benchmarked against, 8% are remote, 80% have no call, 46% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Iowa is 87.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.8% of Iowa clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Physician pay on WeekdayDoc is up 9.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

Top Critical Care Medicine Jobs

28 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution27 jobs · 10 employers

11
<$340k
12
$350k
1
$400k
1
$440k
2
$900k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks27 jobs · 10 employers

401k / retirement match
93% this job
Sign-on bonus
26%
Loan repayment
22% this job
CME allowance
15% this job
Relocation assistance
11%

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Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score

A signal to investigate—not a guarantee about the workplace.

UnityPoint Health logo

About UnityPoint Health

51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive compensation package
Generous time off
CME allowance
Malpractice insurance
Retirement contributions
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Support and development opportunities