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A team of surgeons looking down over an operation.

What is a Surgicalist?

The Synergy Surgicalist Model is a hospital-based career path for surgeons that separates private practice work from acute care. Surgicalists enjoy predictable time off and are embedded, integral members of hospital-based teams. They serve as physician leaders in their designated communities. Many Synergy Health Partners’ Surgicalists have served the same hospital for nearly ten years.

Our Surgicalist Model provides the ability to serve patients with access to emergent and acute surgical care—even in difficult-to-recruit markets. It increases hospital quality, efficiency, clinical consistency, and in many cases, downstream revenue for hospitals.

Our Surgicalists Work As A Team

Our facility-dedicated surgical teams work in coordinated shifts with detailed handoffs to cover emergent, acute, and inpatient consult needs, as well as elective cases as needed. Unlike locum tenens, our surgeons function as integrated and active members of the facility’s medical staff and work scheduled shifts.

The Synergy
Surgicalist Model:

  • Restores work-life balance for clinicians
  • Ensures quality of life for skilled surgeons
  • Allows surgeons to enjoy real-time off
  • Empowers surgeons to focus on their passion for quality patient care rather than on administrative hassles

Hear it from them. Check out our Surgicalist Stories 

This is how we support high quality, aligned, and engaged physicians so that they can support hospitals and patients with predictable surgical teams and access to local care.

Life balance

Surgicalist Q&A

What does a Surgicalist's schedule typically look like?

Every contract is different. Generally, a schedule will define a set number of shift days per month. For example, a Surgicalist might work 7-10 days a month. A shift equals 24 hours. Schedules are routine making it easy for providers to plan around work requirements.

How much do Surgicalists make?

Surgicalists are compensated with a per diem rate that differs based on the needs and requirements of the associated program. Per diem rates for orthopedics typically range from $3,000 – $3,700. The average per diem for general surgeons is $2,200 – $2,500. Some programs provide compensation for travel and housing during scheduled shifts.

Do Surgicalists pay for state licensure?

With Synergy Health Partners, Surgicalists are responsible for costs associated with initial state licensure. All additional state licenses obtained by clinicians are paid for by Synergy Health Partners.

Are Surgicalists covered by malpractice insurance?

Medical malpractice coverage is occurrence-based and provided by Synergy Health Partners.

What is the employment structure for a Surgicalists?

Surgicalists are independent contractors. They receive a 1099 tax form annually.

How are Surgicalists supported internally?

Synergy Health Partners is a physician-led organization. Surgicalists are supported by a collaborative team of Clinical Leaders and Provider Services Specialists that fully integrate with the hospital staff.

Synergy Health Partners