Jobs › HSHS

Physician - Cardiothoracic Surgeon

HSHS · O'Fallon, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 7, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at HSHS

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 a CABG case that didn't go as planned. What happened and what did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect honestly on complications and use them to improve their practice.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a cardiologist about the right approach for a patient.

What they are checking: Whether they resolve clinical disagreements collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

What do you want the cardiac surgery program to look like in five years, and what would you do to get there?

What they are checking: Whether they would help grow the program rather than just fill a call schedule.

What would you do

How do you work with the Structural Heart Team when a patient is being evaluated for TAVR versus surgical valve replacement?

What they are checking: Whether they can make heart team decisions based on the patient rather than on which specialty gets the case.

This is a community-based program with a regional referral base. How would you build and keep referral relationships with cardiologists?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that the program's volume depends on trust and communication with referring physicians.

How do you decide a patient is too high-risk for surgery, and how do you have that conversation with the family?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh risk honestly and deliver hard news with compassion.

About the work

The program in O'Fallon puts a strong emphasis on valve surgery. Walk me through your experience with mitral repair versus replacement and how you decide between them.

What they are checking: Whether their valve experience and judgment match the program's main focus.

What are your outcomes like, and how do you track them against STS benchmarks?

What they are checking: Whether they know their own numbers and take quality measurement seriously.

There's an opportunity to take part in select thoracic procedures. What thoracic experience do you bring?

What they are checking: Whether they can contribute to the thoracic side or need support to do so.

How do you run a post-op ICU handoff so nothing important gets lost?

What they are checking: Whether they value structured communication with the critical care team after surgery.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at HSHS from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by HSHS.

If you have additional questions, contact recruiter at: Angel.Headrick@HSHS.ORG Physician - Cardiothoracic Surgeon - Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants - O'Fallon, IL Nationally recognized leader in Cardiovascular care, Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants offers an opportunity for an experienced Cardiothoracic Surgeon to provide advanced cardiac surgical care while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of highly regarded cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, structural heart specialists, and cardiothoracic surgeons. Enjoy the opportunity to practice within a well-established, community-based cardiovascular program with a strong referral base, established surgical team, and continued growth in cardiac and Structural Heart services. Opportunity Highlights • Established cardiac surgery program with a strong regional referral base. • Adult cardiac surgery including CABG, aortic and mitral valve repair and replacement, and other cardiac surgical procedures. • Strong emphasis on valve surgery, with collaboration across the multidisciplinary Structural Heart Team. • Close collaboration with the Structural Heart program, including TAVR evaluation and surgical support. • Opportunity to participate in select thoracic procedures. • Collaborative cardiovascular team environment working alongside cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, structural interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, advanced practice providers, and experienced cardiothoracic surgeons. Position Highlights • Join an experienced and collegial cardiothoracic surgery team with the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of the program. • Strong commitment to patient-centered, community-based care with a collaborative multidisciplinary approach. • Modern surgical facilities with experienced cardiovascular surgical support. • Opportunity to develop a rewarding practice while maintaining a strong focus on work-life balance. Requirements: • Unrestricted Illinois medical license and DEA (prior to start), BE/BC in Cardiothoracic Surgery. • Experienced Cardiothoracic Surgeon with a strong background in adult cardiac surgery. • Demonstrated experience in aortic and mitral valve repair and replacement. • Experience with CABG and other adult cardiac surgical procedures. • Excellent clinical judgment, communication, and collaboration skills. • Interest in contributing to the continued growth of cardiac and Structural Heart services. • Visa status: H1B supported; J1 ineligible. Compensation & Benefits • 2-year salary guarantee followed by productivity-based compensation model and ability to out earn. • Generous vacation schedule that aligns with incoming practice experience. • Comprehensive benefit package including CME funding. • Annual quality-based incentive. • Sign-on bonus. • Housing and Relocation Assistance. • Up to $150K in student loan reimbursement. Compensation Range $850,000.00-$865,000.00 Why Prairie Cardiovascular? • For over 40 years, we've led the way in cardiovascular medicine—blending cutting-edge research, advanced treatments, and compassionate care. • National Reputation: Known for innovation and excellence in heart care. • Collaborative Culture: Work with 80+ cardiologists and surgeons. • Advanced Resources: Access to state-of-the-art technology and a strong research arm via Prairie Education and Research Cooperative. • Wide Reach: Serve over 40 communities across central and southern Illinois. • Comprehensive Care: Part of the HSHS integrated healthcare delivery system with a full complement of cardiovascular and specialty services. CORE function: Provider Education Qualifications • Clinical doctorate is required. Experience Qualifications • Competence in delivery of healthcare services for adolescents, adults and geriatric patients is required. Certifications, Licenses and Registrations • Licensed physician in the state of practice is required. • Basic Life Support (BLS) is required. • Maintain a Controlled Substance license for the state and Federal DEA, when applicable to their specialty. • Must have successfully completed, or in the process of completing, an accredited residency program. • Must be board certified or board eligible. Job Description Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day. Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a healthcare system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments. Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient. HSHS requires COVID-19 vaccines or an approved medical or religious exemption for all colleagues. HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. Benefits: HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits. • Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues. • Retirement benefits including HSHS contributions. • Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period • Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more! • Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more! A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education. Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants. Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions. These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS. Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org

Apply at HSHS