Emergency Medicine Locums | $300/hr | Rural Arizona | Block Schedule

🟧 LOCUM TENENS EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

Tohono O’odham Nation Health Care – Sells Hospital / Health Center
📍 Sells, Arizona
💰 $300/hour all-inclusive
🕒 Locum Tenens | 1099 Independent Contractor

About the Facility & Community

Sells Hospital is the primary acute and emergency care facility for the Tohono O’odham Nation, located approximately 60 miles west of Tucson in the Sonoran Desert. The 14-bed hospital provides emergency, outpatient, laboratory, imaging, and limited inpatient services. The Emergency Department sees approximately 10,000 patient visits annually, generally lower acuity, though physicians must be prepared for the full spectrum of emergency presentations in a rural setting.

This position offers the opportunity to practice meaningful, mission-driven medicine while supporting an underserved tribal community in a collaborative, resource-conscious environment.

Position Overview

The Locum Tenens Emergency Medicine Physician provides 24-hour on-site ED coverage, delivering comprehensive emergency evaluation, stabilization, and management for patients of all ages. The ED is staffed with strong APP and nursing support, allowing for efficient patient flow and collaborative care.

Physicians work with significant clinical autonomy typical of rural practice while still benefiting from a well-organized care team.

Practice Environment & Coverage Model

• ED Volume: ~10,000 visits/year

• Acuity Level: Low to moderate

• Physician Shifts: 24-hour in-house coverage

Support Staffing Each Shift:

• 1 Advanced Practice Provider (PA/NP) per 24-hour period

• 3 RNs per shift

• 2 Medical Assistants per shift

Additional Details:

• Diagnostics: On-site imaging and laboratory services

• Transfers: Established EMS pathways to higher-level trauma and specialty centers

• EHR: RPMS or similar IHS/tribal platform

Key Responsibilities

• Provide full-spectrum emergency medical care, including evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and stabilization

• Manage adult, pediatric, trauma, and behavioral health patients in a rural ED setting

• Perform emergency procedures such as airway management, laceration repair, splinting, I&D, emergency ultrasound, and resuscitation

• Coordinate patient care with APPs, RNs, MAs, EMS, and receiving facilities

• Document all encounters and orders in the EHR in compliance with IHS/TONHC standards

• Participate in ED quality initiatives and follow all hospital protocols, Joint Commission standards, and EMTALA requirements

Qualifications

• MD or DO from an accredited institution

• Board Certified or Board Eligible in Emergency Medicine (ABEM/AOBEM) preferred; FM/IM with strong emergency experience may be considered

• Active and unrestricted medical license

• Current DEA registration

• Current BLS, ACLS, PALS; ATLS strongly preferred

• Prior rural, tribal, or IHS experience is highly desirable

• Commitment to culturally respectful care for Native American communities

Compensation & Contract Details

• Rate: $300/hour all-inclusive

• Provider is responsible for all travel and lodging expenses

• Independent contractor (1099) status

• Malpractice coverage provided

• Schedule Cadence: 24-hour shifts (block schedule 3–4 consecutive shifts every other week)