Locum Hospitalist

Overview of Coverage Details

This position entails 24-hour single coverage for a rural hospital, with an expected working duration of 12-15 hours on-site, followed by remaining hours on call. The physician will have access to sleeping accommodations either nearby or directly on-site.

Dates of Coverage

July 31, 2026, to August 7, 2026

Schedule

Start Time

12:00 PM

Typical End Time

12:00 PM the following day

Average Nightly Callbacks

Variable based on needs

Clinical Parameters

Total Beds

25 (Critical Access Hospital)

ICU Beds

4

ICU Model

Open

Average Daily Encounters

18

Average Daily Census

16

Procedural Requirements

• Central line placement
• Endotracheal intubation
• Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI)
• Ventilator management
• Management of swing beds

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

• Meditech Expanse, integrated with Dragon/Nuance for dictation.

Hospitalist Workflow

Shift Pattern

24-hour on-site coverage (typical shift 12-15 hours plus night call)

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Responsibilities

Patient admissions and rounding

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Shift Times

12 PM to 12 PM (handoff on the last day may occur between 12 PM and 3 PM)

Orientation

Conducted on weekdays, typically lasting 4 hours.

Morning and Evening Rounds

• Morning rounds are usually initiated between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, contingent upon facility-specific protocols.

• Informal evening rounds, occurring between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, are encouraged to enhance communication with ED and nursing staff, potentially reducing nighttime callbacks and allowing for rest.

Admission Protocols

• Given the variable skillsets in rural EDs, it’s crucial to minimize unnecessary admissions that lead to immediate transfers post-evaluation.

• Transition orders during peak hours will help facilitate admissions, allowing the physician to prioritize patient evaluation in the ED.

Overnight Admissions Policy

• Transition orders will be utilized for patient admissions from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, authored by ED physicians to streamline the process.

• ICU admissions necessitate immediate bedside evaluation without delay.

Rounding on Overnight Admissions

• This process aids in ensuring continuity of care; it's vital to be aware of discharge plans prior to morning rounds.

• Patients slated for discharge will be prepared the day before, allowing for early discharges by noon, which in turn facilitates room turnover for new admissions in the afternoon.

Discharge Prioritization

• Emphasizing discharge planning allows nursing staff to complete necessary documentation, enabling timely patient transfers and preparation for thorough room cleaning (EVS) ahead of new admissions.

Certification Requirements

• Candidates must be board certified or board eligible and hold current ACLS certification.