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Physician: Cardiac Surgeon - Palos Heights, IL

Northwestern Medicine · Palos Heights, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about quality improvement work you have led.

What they are checking: The posting names participating in quality improvement efforts.

What would you want to know about the case volume and operating room access at Palos?

What they are checking: The posting names neither and both decide whether the practice works.

What would you do

How do you handle a complication with the patient and the team afterwards?

What they are checking: Every cardiac surgeon has them, and how they are handled distinguishes people.

How would you build referral relationships with community cardiologists?

What they are checking: The posting names building and maintaining strong referral relationships locally.

This is a growing program. What would your first six months look like?

What they are checking: The posting names participating in program growth and outreach initiatives.

How do you work with intensivists and advanced practice providers after surgery?

What they are checking: The posting names partnering with hospitalists, intensivists and APPs.

How do you work with an academic center on a shared patient?

What they are checking: The posting names collaborating with tertiary and quaternary academic teams.

About the work

Tell me about your cardiac surgery fellowship and practice.

What they are checking: The posting requires ACGME fellowship training and board certification or eligibility.

What is your case mix, and what do you most want to be doing?

What they are checking: The posting names a broad range of adult cardiac surgical procedures including bypass.

How do you decide a patient should not have surgery?

What they are checking: The most consequential cardiac surgical decision and the one that gets skipped.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Northwestern Medicine is seeking an ACGME fellowship trained, board-certified/board-eligible Cardiac Surgeon to join the growing Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute (BCVI) South Region team at Palos Hospital in Palos Heights, IL located in the south suburbs. This role offers the opportunity to deliver exceptional surgical care in a community hospital setting while benefiting from the clinical resources, reputation, and collaborative network of Northwestern Medicine. • Responsibilities of this position include performing a broad range of adult cardiac surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair and replacement, aortic and structural heart procedures. • Partnering closely with community cardiologists, hospitalists, intensivists, and APPs to deliver coordinated care • Building and maintaining strong referral relationships within the local community • Participating in program growth, outreach initiatives, and quality improvement efforts • Supporting streamlined, efficient care delivery focused on access, outcomes, and patient experience • Collaborating with tertiary/quaternary academic teams The ideal candidate is a patient-focused surgeon who values strong relationships with referring providers, efficient clinical operations, and high-quality outcomes in a community environment. Cardiothoracic surgeons in this position may participate in academic programs of the Feinberg School of Medicine, including educational programs (e.g., teaching service, training, preceptorship, mentoring, etc.) or research programs (e.g., participation in clinical trials, referring patients for clinical trials, etc.). Salary is commensurate with experience. BCVI is a full service, fully integrated institute across the system. The six clinical centers comprising BCVI are the Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, Center for Coronary Disease, Center for Vascular Disease, Center for Valve Disease, Center for Heart Failure and the Center for Preventive Cardiology. • ACGME fellowship trained • BE/BC All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits In addition to competitive compensation, we offer an excellent benefits package. This includes a continuing medical education allowance, paid time off, well-being fund, 401k, paid parental leave, malpractice insurance and much more. Moreover, we will provide financial stability and administrative support so you can focus on your passion – practicing medicine. Please click here to learn more about benefits.

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