US – Los Angeles, CA
will be determined at hire
1 – Staff: Contract
April 2, 2026
Staff Physician, Cardiac Surgery
UCLA Health is seeking a board-certified Cardiac Surgeon to join our Heart & Lung Transplantation and Cardiac Surgery Programs as a Senior Physician focusing on thoracic organ procurement and first assisting in surgery. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a highly specialized, mission-driven program supporting advanced cardiac care, including transplantation and complex surgical procedures. The position is designed for surgeons with strong operative experience who are interested in a collaborative role focused on organ procurement, surgical support, and resident education—within one of the nation’s leading academic health systems.
At UCLA Health, you can:
- Utilize your advanced surgical skills in a high-acuity, collaborative environment
- Collaborate with some of the world’s top physicians and researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine
- Work within a highly-innovative practice environment, including Epic Systems
- Discover tremendous professional rewards with one of Forbes’ “Best In-State Employers”
- Deliver leading-edge patient care
- Enjoy an excellent salary, incentive and benefits program
- Grow your medical career with one of California’s top hospitals
In this role you will:
- Perform independent procurement of heart and lungs for transplantation
- Serve as first assistant on cardiac surgery procedures, including transplantation, adult cardiac surgery, and congenital cardiac cases
- Participate in surgical care across multiple UCLA Health facilities, including Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA West Valley Medical Center
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary transplant and surgical teams to support high-quality patient outcomes
- Contribute to resident education and surgical teaching within an academic environment
Required Qualifications
- MD or DO
- Board Certified or Board Eligible in Cardiothoracic Surgery by ABTS
- Active/Eligible California medical license
- Demonstrated surgical skillset aligned with scope of practice
- Familiarity with adult cardiac surgical procedures
- Prior experience or exposure to transplantation and donor organ procurement
The University of California, Los Angeles is required to provide an estimate of the salary range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions. Salary offers are determined based on candidate qualifications and experience. The target salary range for this position is 142,100-348,100 annual base salary. Productivity models, Quality Incentives, and additional income channels will be determined per the direction of the Medical Director.
Living in West Los Angeles
West Los Angeles offers a dynamic blend of urban convenience and coastal lifestyle, with close proximity to Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Beverly Hills. The area provides access to world-class dining, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation, along with top-rated schools and diverse neighborhoods. Physicians benefit from both the energy of Los Angeles and the support of UCLA Health’s flagship academic medical center.
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