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Virginia Mason Medical Center - Seattle - CommonSpirit Health

Ophthalmology - Physician at Virginia Mason Medical Center - Seattle - CommonSpirit Health

Virginia Mason Medical Center - Seattle - CommonSpirit Health Seattle, WA

Job Description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

Virginia Mason Francisan Health (VMFH) is fulfilling our vision of transforming healthcare by expanding our collaborative care team. We have an opportunity for a 1.0 FTE Ophthalmology - Glaucoma physician in desirable Seattle, Washington. Join the Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC) division of Ophthalmology with a regional and national reputation for excellence in patient care.

The ophthalmology section currently has 8 ophthalmologists and 7 optometrists in our main Seattle clinic and at 4 regional medical center locations seeing approximately 51,000 patients per year. In addition to optometry and general ophthalmology, specialty services include surgeons who practice in a collegial environment and possess fellowship training in retina, cornea, uveitis, glaucoma, pediatric/strabismus, and oculoplastics.

The Seattle clinic is a busy downtown practice with four full-time and two part-time ophthalmologists (cornea, glaucoma, retina, oculoplastics and pediatric specialists). We also employ three full-time optometrists.

The surgeon position will partner with a well-respected glaucoma specialist who has been practicing for 19 years at Virginia Mason. The position requires a clinic one or two days per week at one of our regional medical centers, 2-3 clinic days per week in Seattle, and one or more OR days per week.

A fellowship trained candidate is essential. The ideal candidate will be proficient in complex cataract and glaucoma surgery. We welcome applicants interested in clinical trials. Virginia Mason provides support via the Benaroya Research Institute.

This is a unique opportunity to work in a busy, hospital-based practice alongside specialists with diverse and complex patient panels. The Seattle clinic is the hub of the ophthalmology service line and sets the tone for a large group practice. The surgeon hired for the glaucoma specialist position can expect approximately a 50/50 glaucoma and cataract surgery volume as they build their own unique practice. They will have the facilities to perform MIGS, filtering surgery, and glaucoma drainage device placement.

Nighttime on-call duties rotate every eighth week. Virginia Mason Medical Center enjoys a well-earned regional and national reputation as a tertiary referral center for the Pacific Northwest. Clinical research opportunities are available due to our diverse patient population. There are also teaching opportunities with Virginia Mason interns and residents.

The downtown Seattle clinic has a wonderfully diverse patient base due to the many sub-specialty providers working together in the department. The ophthalmic team, 21 in all, includes 16 ophthalmic assistants with a range of experience and backgrounds, one optician/contact lens specialist, three surgery schedulers, and two receptionists. Our team includes three optometrists, all of whom triage complex/urgent cases and performs routine eye exams.

Virginia Mason, established in 1920 in Seattle, WA, is internationally recognized as a preeminent health care organization focused on delivering quality services to our patients. We have a 336-bed hospital in Seattle and multi-specialty medical group practice with more than 450 physicians. With a network of primary, specialty, neighborhood clinics and regional medical centers; you will find our culture is the very definition of best practices and a model that is the benchmark for other medical organizations. Join us, and find out how many ways Virginia Mason offers you the chance to focus on what really matters—your patients.

#HEC


Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

  • BE/BC in Ophthalmology
  • 5 Years of experience in Glaucoma preferred but not required
  • Proficient in MIGS
  • Ability to obtain a medical professional license in the State of WA
  • Ability to obtain a DEA with full prescriptive authority needed for specific practice

Where You'll Work

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is a leading health system in Washington state. Formed by the integration of two outstanding health systems — CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason — Virginia Mason Franciscan Health offers a wealth of convenient hospital, clinic and care locations in western Washington.

With more than 18,000 team members and staff and nearly 5,000 employed physicians and affiliated providers, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health provides expert, compassionate medical care at 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites throughout the Puget Sound region.


Pay Range
$339,622.40 - $559,582.40 /year

Market salary data for Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric nationally

National salary averages
Entry
Mid
Senior
Expected

Employer-favored market

Competitive market. Focus on fit and differentiation over compensation.

Hiring leverage
Employer-favored
Wage leverage
Limited
Mobility
Low mobility

Who this leverage applies to

Stronger for: Credentialed candidates
Weaker for: Entry-level candidates, Career switchers, Self-taught practitioners

Where to negotiate

Base salary
Sign-on bonus
Title / level
Remote flexibility
Scope & responsibility
Start date / PTO

Likely Possible Unlikely

Watch out for

Limited mobility: Few adjacent roles—switching employers is harder.

Focus on demonstrating unique fit and value.

Does this path compound?

Job Growth →
High churn
Growth, flat pay
🚀 Compound
Growth + pay upside
⚠️ Plateau
Limited growth
Specialize
Experts earn more
Pay Upside →
Stable but flat

Steady work, but limited growth in both jobs and pay.

+4%
10yr growth
Typical: Doctoral or professional degree

Openings come from turnover, not new growth. Differentiate to advance.

Labor data: BLS 2024