Locum tenens Neonatologist Needs in California!

This locum tenens Neonatologist position at Mercy Medical Center Redding provides ongoing monthly coverage for a Level III NICU within a Level II Trauma Center. The physician will perform daily NICU rounding, manage critical neonates, and handle call coverage with occasional callback needs. The role focuses exclusively on NICU care—no newborn nursery rounding—with strong collaboration alongside NICU nurses, residents, laborists, and pediatric hospitalists.

Dates / Schedule

• Orientation: Afternoon of the business day prior to first shift.

• Coverage Needed: January 11–20 (ending January 21 AM) and ongoing monthly for the 11th–20th (ending AM of 21st).

• Daily Expectations:

  • Round in the NICU at least once per day.

  • Take call and respond onsite as patient condition requires.

  • No nursery rounding (handled by pediatric hospitalists).

• Average Callback Hours: ~4.7 hours; callback is rare.

Job Details / Responsibilities

• Provide care within a Level III NICU (daily census ~7–12 patients).

• Respond to calls from nursing staff and provide onsite care when necessary.

• Supervise and teach Family Practice Residents during their nursery rotation.

• Work with NICU nurses, laborists, and pediatric hospitalists.

• Utilize Cerner Care B EMR system.

• Perform the following required procedures:

  1. Ventilatory assistance, including ETT CPAP

  2. Nasal CPAP >4 hrs, NCPAP >6 cm H₂O, or FiO₂ >0.60

  3. Surfactant administration beyond initial dose

  4. Administration of cardiac pressors

  5. Management of FiO₂ >0.60

  6. Management of PaCO₂ >50 on two ABGs 1 hr apart

  7. Placement of peripheral arterial or central lines

  8. Chest tube placement

  9. TPN hyperalimentation

  10. Exchange transfusions

  11. Management of infants <32 weeks gestation

  12. Management of infants <1600 g birth weight

• Reason for Coverage: Staffing gaps and rebid.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Board Certified or Eligible in Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine

• Active State License (CA preferred/required per submission guidelines)

• BLS, NRP, DEA (required by credentialing)

• Panel Membership with California Children’s Services (CCS) — must be active at submission

• Substantial recent experience in neonatology (not general pediatrics)

• Clean malpractice history

• Must be on active staff with unrestricted privileges at a TJC-accredited facility (not currently working solely as a locum)

• Availability at time of name clear

• Credentialing timeframe: ~30 days for temporary/locum privileges