Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

We shoulder recruitment, licensing, credentialing, malpractice, and performance management—removing vacancy risk and delivering a single, predictable monthly fee that’s often less than locum tenens. Working with Synergy is a long-term, supportive partnership.

A large number of our surgeons come by referral from our national network of board-certified, fellowship-trained surgicalists. Every candidate passes peer interviews, NPDB checks, and full case-log reviews to ensure clinical excellence and cultural alignment. 

If a provider misses the mark, we replace them immediately and support the facility to cover interim shifts, so service is never interrupted. 

We deliver results through a proven, targeted recruitment process built specifically for surgicalist programs. Our deep clinical networks, industry reputation, and surgeon referrals allow us to attract high-performing candidates faster. We focus on long-term alignment—reducing vacancy risk, accelerating onboarding, and ensuring reliable, sustainable coverage for your hospital. 

Our surgeons are highly experienced, board-certified, and committed to hospital-based practice. Many have mid-to-late careers, having built strong reputations in their specialties. They are drawn to our model for its work-life balance, clinical focus, and the opportunity to deliver high-quality care without the administrative burden of private practice. 

Our surgeons are highly engaged and committed to supporting hospital quality initiatives. They regularly participate in quality committees, peer review, and process improvement efforts alongside hospital leadership. As dedicated, facility-based teams, they take ownership of outcomes and collaborate to align with your hospital’s clinical and operational goals. 

Our surgeons are committed to the communities they serve. As dedicated, facility-based teams, they build strong relationships with referring physicians, hospital staff, and patients. Many participate in outreach, education, and local health initiatives, supporting the hospital’s reputation as a trusted provider of high-quality, local care. 

Yes, our models allow your facility to capture professional fees in addition to technical and downstream revenue.  

Yes, we match surgeons to each hospital based on the specific clinical needs of the community. Our teams bring deep experience across a broad range of surgical cases, ensuring they have the right skills to support your patient population, referral patterns, and hospital objectives from day one. 

Yes. We can establish or expand outpatient surgical clinics, providing the staffing and clinical leadership needed to grow surgical volumes and support long-term program success. 

We provide guidance to start a program around 180 days but have seen it happen much faster. Limiting factors include state licensure, facility privileges, payor credentialing, and partnership. We’ve found that when we have licensed surgeons, expediting credentialing, and a collaborative partnership where everybody is on the same page and acting with urgency, we can start programs in 120 days. 

We have a solution for every type of facility ranging from Critical Access Hospitals to LI Trauma Centers supporting elective and/or acute care general surgery, orthopedic surgery, gastroenterology, urology, and anesthesia (limited to CAHs) models. 

Openings span 40+ programs—critical access, urban, and rural—updated weekly on our clinician portal. Visit (LINK) to explore our current openings. 

Our model is built on long-term, embedded surgeons within the community, allowing you to build strong local relationships, provide consistent, high-quality patient care, and enjoy the stability and work-life balance that come with a predictable, team-based schedule. 

Depends on the role selected. Our model is built on team-based coverage. You’ll be part of a dedicated surgical team providing consistent coverage. This collaborative approach ensures you have support, shared responsibility, and appropriate time off—while maintaining continuity of care and meeting the needs of the hospital and community. 

Yes. Our model is centered on active clinical practice. Surgeons are fully engaged in providing patient care, including surgical procedures, inpatient care, and on-call responsibilities. This hands-on clinical work is at the core of our Surgicalist Model, ensuring continuity, quality outcomes, and alignment with hospital goals. 

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. Please contact a recruiter to confirm if the opportunity your exploring includes compensation for travel and housing.

Yes, you can earn up to $5,000 for every surgeon you refer to Synergy Health Partners. For more information, click here.

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 work requirements. 

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

With Synergy Health Partners, we cover up to $500 for the 1^st license and then any additional licenses are covered. 

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

Synergy Health Partners is a physician-led organization. Surgicalists are supported by a collaborative team of clinical leaders and provider services that fully integrate with the hospital staff.