Your future role at a glance
Location: Smithville, Texas (40 miles East of downtown Austin)
Facility Name: Ascension Seton Smithville Health Center
Schedule: Full-Time
This job location is currently located in a Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and/or Medically Under-served Areas/Populations (MUA/P) Shortage Destination Type.
Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Benefits that help you thrive
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
How you’ll make an impact in this role
Position Overview
This is an exceptional opportunity for a motivated, fellowship-trained General Surgeon to establish a high-demand, local surgical practice in Smithville, Texas. Backed by the full resources of the Ascension Seton health system, you will serve as the primary surgical provider for Smithville and surrounding communities (Caldwell, Bastrop, and Fayette Counties), with immediate patient volume and a direct pathway for downstream collaboration with Ascension Seton Hays for higher-acuity procedures.
Practice Highlights & Expectations
Established Patient Base: Step into an immediate, high-volume need with an established referral stream from local primary care providers, clinics, and emergency department physicians.
Balanced Schedule: Enjoy a predictable, full-time ambulatory and surgical schedule (8 half-day clinics per week with 2 dedicated block OR/procedure days per week at Ascension Seton Smithville CAH).
Scope of Practice: Provide full-spectrum outpatient surgical clinic consultations, diagnostic endoscopies (EGD/colonoscopies), minor outpatient procedures, and general surgical care.
Colorectal Expertise: Leverage fellowship training to expand local colorectal screening, prevention, and treatment services while establishing a regional surgical continuum.
Low-Friction Call Coverage: Highly manageable call commitment (~6 days per month) primarily focused on your own post-operative patients, averaging only ~2 call-ins per month.
System Integration: Seamlessly transition and escalate complex, high-acuity surgical cases to Ascension Seton Hays while maintaining long-term continuity of care within the network.
Requirements
Education & Certification: MD or DO from an accredited program; Board Eligible or Board Certified in General Surgery.
Specialty Training: Residency training in General Surgery required.
Licensure: Active (or eligible for) unrestricted Texas Medical License.
Why Practice in Smithville, TX?
Located just 40 miles southeast of Austin along the Colorado River, Smithville offers a charming, laid-back Central Texas lifestyle with a strong sense of community.
Small-Town Charm & Outdoor Recreation: Famous for its historic downtown, tree-lined streets, and vibrant arts community, Smithville sits adjacent to Buescher and Bastrop State Parks—offering hiking, biking, fishing, and camping right in your backyard.
Proximity to Major Metro Areas: Enjoy rural living with minimal commute stress while staying less than an hour away from the amenities, music scene, and international airport of Austin.
Family-Friendly Living: Excellent local schools, affordable real estate, and a welcoming environment make it an ideal place to establish a long-term practice and home.
Why Physicians Choose Ascension Seton
Physician-Led Culture: Collaborative environment that values local physician leadership and autonomy.
Mission-Centered Care: Rooted in service, compassionate care, and improving population health outcomes in rural communities.
System Stability: Long-term practice support from one of the nation’s leading healthcare networks.
What minimum requirements you’ll need
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
- Licensed Physician MD/DO credentialed from the Texas Medical Board obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date required.
Education:
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) required.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer does not participate in E-Verify and therefore cannot employ STEM OPT candidates.