We are recruiting for a mission-driven Trauma Surgery Physician to join our team! We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.
Our Values Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency Department General & Trauma Surgeons Job Summary Denver Health is recruiting a Trauma Surgeon to join our trauma and acute care surgery team. The Ernest E. Moore Shock Trauma Center at Denver Health is an internationally renowned, American College of Surgeons Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, with over 3,000 patient evaluations annually.
Among other services, the trauma center specializes in chest wall reconstruction, retrograde balloon occlusion of the aorta, and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. The Trauma Center is actively engaged in a number of research projects, and publishes over 200 peer reviewed articles annually. This position offers a diverse clinical practice encompassing trauma, surgical critical care, emergency general surgery, as well as elective general surgery.
The position also comes with a faculty appointment at the University of Colorado School of Medicine serving as faculty for medical students, residents, and fellows. Our department is committed to innovation, research, and delivering exceptional care to Colorado’s safety-net population. Leadership opportunities are available for candidates with interest, experience, and vision to help shape and expand key clinical, educational, and academic programs.
The Denver Health Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) is a twenty-three-bed intensive care unit staffed by surgeons who are board certified in surgical critical care. Patient acuity is high and involves derangement of multiple organ systems simultaneously. Attending on both trauma and SICU services involves serving as faculty for both our Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care Fellowships.
The Emergency General Surgery (EGS) Service at Denver Health performs over 1,000 operations annually, maintains an average daily census of fourteen patients, and spans all aspects and scope within this field. The EGS service is currently attended by seven trauma surgeons, two general surgeons, and our two, second year TACS fellows. The service engages in classic EGS, as well as emerging techniques such as minimally invasive treatments of diverticulitis and perforated peptic ulcers, endo luminal stents and vacuum therapy (endo-VAC), and laparoscopic, trans cystic common bile duct clearance.
Other areas of focus include esophageal perforation, management of bariatric complications (in conjunction with our accredited bariatric center), thoracic surgeries, and both thoracic and lumbar spine exposures. Denver Health serves as a satellite site for several fellowships, residency programs, and medical schools; education of residents is a core responsibility of our surgical faculty. Interested applicants can apply online or submit CV to: Aaron Ortiz, Director of Provider Recruitment aaron.ortiz@dhha.org
Examine patients, making initial assessments, and questioning patients and family members on complaints, symptoms, and medical history. (20%) Conduct diagnostic tests and determining which instruments and methods of surgery would be most successful. (20%) Perform emergency procedures, such as endotracheal tube intubation, pericardiocentesis, and ultrasonographic evaluations.
(10%) Perform operations on critical, often multiple, injuries to different organ systems. (10%) Use a variety of medical tools, such as surgical clamps, lasers, and medical software. (10%) Work with other specialized Surgeons to stabilize patients in critical condition.
(10%) Coordinate nurses, assistants, anesthesiologists, specialists, and other medical staff required for surgery. (10%) Provide in-service training on new surgical technology. (5%) Remain up-to-date on surgical techniques by reading medical journals and attending medical conferences.
(5%)
Doctorate Degree Required Licenses : MD-Physician - State Medical Board Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities : Knowledge of and ability to apply professional medical principles, procedures and techniques. Thorough knowledge of pharmacological agents used in patient treatment. Able to effectively manage and direct medical staff support activities while providing quality medical care.
Able to receive detailed information through oral communications; express or exchange ideas by verbal communications. Excellent written and verbal communications, listening, and social skills. Able to interact effectively with people of varied educational, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, skill levels and value systems.
Performs in a tactful and professional manner. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
Computer skills preferred. Shift Varies Work Type Regular Salary $426,700.00 - $539,600.00 / yr Benefits At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs.
We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you. Here is a small list of our benefit programs: Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5% Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation) Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more Tuition reimbursement & assistance Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer About Denver Health Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.
As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year. Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer. Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).
We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.