Locum Physician (MD/DO) - Surgery - Trauma in Altoona, PA

Doctor of Medicine | Surgery - Trauma
Location: Altoona, PA
Employer: WhiteCoat Locums
Pay: Competitive weekly pay (inquire for details)
Start Date: ASAP

About the Position

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.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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+

• Board Certification in General Surgery (ABS) - Required
• Board Certification in Surgical Critical Care - Required
• At Least 2 Years of Clinical Experience in Trauma Surgery - 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

• 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

• 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