Trauma Surgery / Surgical Critical Care Physician Locum Tenens Altoona, PA
Position Overview
Seeking a Board-Certified Trauma Surgeon with Surgical Critical Care certification for a locum tenens opportunity in Altoona, Pennsylvania, beginning December 14, 2026.
The physician will provide trauma surgery, emergency general surgery, and surgical critical care coverage at a Level III Trauma Center. Responsibilities include trauma resuscitation, emergency surgery, ICU management, inpatient rounding, and consultations.
The assignment includes 24-hour primary, backup, and split call shifts. Candidates must be comfortable managing geriatric trauma and working in a resource-limited trauma environment.
Compensation:
Primary Call: $5450 per 24 hours
Backup Call: $3500 per 24 hours
Split Shift Call: $4675/shift
Assignment Details
Specialty: Trauma Surgery / Surgical Critical Care
Provider Type: Physician (MD/DO)
Location: Altoona, PA
Coverage Type: Locum Tenens
Start Date: December 14, 2026
Duration: Ongoing
Position Type: Full-Time
Trauma Level: Level III
Hospital Capacity: 380 Beds
EMR: Epic Bridges
Coverage Reason: Turnover Vacancy
Estimated Shifts: 12 Per Month
Schedule
24-Hour Primary Call: 7:00 AM 7:00 AM, On-Site
24-Hour Backup Call: 7:00 AM 7:00 AM, With Morning Rounding From 7:00 AM 11:00 AM
Split Call: 4 Hours of Morning Rounding, 8 Hours of Backup Call, and 12 Hours of Primary Call
Backup Call Response Time: Within 30 Minutes
Primary Call: Must Remain On-Site
Average Admissions While On Call: Approximately 1
Patient Population
Adult Patients: 95%
Pediatric Patients: 5%
Geriatric Trauma Patients
Emergency General Surgery Patients
Critically Ill Surgical Patients
Patients With Rib Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries
Patients With Minor Traumatic Brain and Thoracolumbar Spine Injuries
Clinical Responsibilities
Respond to Trauma Alerts and Perform Initial Resuscitation
Provide Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care
Perform FAST Examinations and Diagnostic Peritoneal Aspiration
Manage Acute Traumatic Injuries and Surgical Emergencies
Perform Emergency Operative Procedures
Manage Mechanical Ventilation and Critical Care Patients
Place Central Venous Catheters and Arterial Lines
Perform Daily Rounding and Inpatient Consultations
Manage Geriatric Trauma and Low-Energy Injuries
Stabilize Patients Requiring Higher-Level Care
Coordinate Transfers When Clinically Necessary
Collaborate With APPs, Medical Students, and Specialty Teams
Maintain Accurate Documentation in Epic Bridges
Required Procedures / Skills
Trauma Evaluation and Resuscitation
Appendectomy and Cholecystectomy
Bowel Resection, Anastomosis, and Exploratory Laparotomy
Management of Perforated Diverticulitis and Peptic Ulcers
Surgical Management of Bowel Obstruction and GI Bleeding
Incarcerated or Strangulated Hernia Repair
Soft Tissue Drainage and Debridement
Tracheostomy and PEG/G-Tube Placement
Tube Thoracostomy
Operative Abdominal Trauma Management
Mechanical Ventilation and Ventilator Management
Central Venous and Arterial Line Placement
Clinical Environment / Support
Level III Trauma Center
APP Coverage Available
Specialty Support Includes Critical Care, Neurology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Vascular, and Cardiac Surgery
Team-Based Practice
Limited Interventional Radiology Availability
Higher-Level Trauma Transfers Required When Appropriate
Pediatric Trauma Stabilization Prior to Transfer
Pediatric Appendectomies for Patients Ages 12+
Requirements
Board Certification in General Surgery (ABS) Required
Board Certification in Surgical Critical Care Required
At Least 2 Years of Clinical Experience in Trauma Surgery Preferred
Minimum 1 Year of Clinical Experience Required
Active Pennsylvania Medical License or IMLC Eligibility Required
DEA Registration Required
Controlled Substance Registration (CSR) Required
ATLS, ACLS, BLS, and PALS Certifications Required
Experience Managing Trauma and Emergency General Surgery Cases
Proficiency in Surgical Critical Care Procedures
Ability to Manage Geriatric Trauma Patients
Comfortable Working in a Resource-Limited Trauma Setting
Ability to Provide Primary, Backup, and Split Call Coverage
Ability to Meet 30-Minute Backup Call Response Requirements
Submission Requirements
Updated Curriculum Vitae
General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care Board Certifications
Pennsylvania Medical License or IMLC Documentation
DEA and CSR Documentation
ATLS, ACLS, BLS, and PALS Certifications
Trauma Surgery and Critical Care Experience
Relevant Surgical Case Logs
Confirmation of Call Coverage Availability
Credentialing
Estimated Timeframe: 90 Days
Privileges: Full Privileges Available
Active Pennsylvania License or IMLC Required
Board Certification in Both Specialties Required
Current Required Certifications
Case-Volume and Recent Practice Requirements Apply
