🚨 LOCUM EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN | NEW ER OPENING | SOUTH DAKOTA
Job at a glance
Job description
Get In on the Ground Floor | Non-Boarded Considered | Ongoing 2026–2027 Coverage | Potential Direct-Hire Opportunity
Overall Job Description
An exciting opportunity is opening for an experienced Emergency Medicine Physician to help launch and provide coverage for a brand-new Emergency Department in the Sturgis, South Dakota area.
The facility is scheduled to open toward the end of 2026, creating a unique opportunity for physicians who want to be part of a new clinical operation from the beginning. Coverage will begin as the facility opens and is expected to remain very active throughout 2027.
This is an ongoing locum tenens opportunity, with the potential for physicians interested in a longer-term relationship to explore direct employment with the facility.
Unlike many Emergency Medicine locums opportunities, board certification is NOT required. Physicians with a minimum of 2 years of solid Emergency Department experience, appropriate life-support certifications, and the ability to practice confidently in an evolving environment are encouraged to apply.
Because this is a new facility, there is no historical patient volume. Initial projections are approximately 20–30 patients per 24-hour period, with volume expected to evolve as the facility becomes established.
Job Responsibilities
Evaluate, diagnose, stabilize, and treat patients across varying levels of acuity.
Perform appropriate Emergency Medicine procedures within scope of practice and facility privileges.
Order and interpret laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, EKGs, and other appropriate studies.
Develop treatment plans and determine appropriate patient disposition, including discharge, admission, observation, or transfer when necessary.
Recognize and rapidly stabilize critically ill or injured patients.
Coordinate appropriate transfers when patients require a higher level of care or specialty services.
Prescribe medications and provide appropriate discharge instructions and follow-up recommendations.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely medical documentation.
Collaborate effectively with nursing, EMS, ancillary staff, administration, and other members of the clinical team.
Help establish a strong standard of Emergency Department care as part of a newly opening facility.
Adapt to changing patient volumes, workflows, and operational needs as the new ER grows.
Provide dependable coverage and flexibility as scheduling needs develop throughout 2027.
Qualifications
Active South Dakota medical license required
Board Certification is NOT required
Minimum 2 years of Emergency Department experience
Must maintain all required current Emergency Medicine life-support certifications / "life cards"
Candidates should be prepared to provide current:
BLS
ACLS
PALS
ATLS
DEA and other credentialing documentation as required by the facility
Must meet facility credentialing and privileging requirements
Strong professional and clinical background required
Working Hours
AM shifts
Swing shifts
PM shifts
Coverage begins toward the end of 2026
Significant ongoing locums needs anticipated throughout 2027
Flexible scheduling based on facility coverage requirements and physician availability
Physicians who can provide consistent and recurring availability are highly desirable
Candidates with the ability to work a variety of shifts will receive strongest consideration
Opportunity for an ongoing locums relationship rather than a short, one-time assignment
Potential opportunity to transition from locums into a direct-hire position for physicians interested in making the facility their long-term home.
Skills
Strong Emergency Medicine assessment, diagnostic, stabilization, and treatment skills.
Ability to confidently manage a broad range of emergency presentations.
Strong clinical judgment and independent decision-making abilities.
Ability to recognize and appropriately manage high-acuity and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Proficiency in common Emergency Department procedures.
Strong resuscitation and emergency stabilization skills.
Ability to effectively prioritize patients based on clinical acuity.
Comfortable practicing in a newly established Emergency Department where workflows and patient volumes may continue to evolve.
Adaptable and comfortable working in a growing clinical environment.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with nursing, EMS, clinical staff, and hospital leadership.
Dependable, flexible, and willing to assist with varying coverage needs.
Physicians with significant schedule freedom and flexibility are strongly preferred.