Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California is recruiting a full-time Trauma Performance Improvement RN to join its established trauma program. This is a Monday–Friday, days-only position (8a–5p) embedded within a Level 1 Trauma Center — one of the most advanced trauma designations available — that anchors the Desert Care Network's three-hospital system serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin. The role sits at the intersection of clinical expertise and data governance, driving the quality infrastructure that keeps the trauma program compliant with American College of Surgeons, Joint Commission, and Riverside County EMS Agency standards. A sign-on bonus of up to $15,000 based on experience makes this an immediately compelling opportunity for an experienced trauma nurse ready to step into a program-level impact role.
Perks and Benefits
- Sign-on bonus up to $15,000, determined by experience
- Full-time employment with a Monday–Friday, 8a–5p schedule — no nights, no weekends, no holiday rotation
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Generous paid time off
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Level 1 Trauma Center designation at Desert Regional Medical Center — the highest trauma designation, serving as the regional referral hub for the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin
- Part of the Desert Care Network, a three-hospital system that also includes JFK Memorial Hospital (Indio) and Hi-Desert Medical Center (Joshua Tree)
- Network service lines include comprehensive stroke care, a cancer center, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley
- Trauma PI Nurse works directly alongside the Trauma Program Manager (TPM) and Trauma Medical Director as a core member of the Trauma Administrative Team
- Responsible for the full trauma registry lifecycle: patient identification, data abstraction from medical records, AIS and ICD-9 injury scoring, E-code assignment, and submission to Riverside County and approved national registries
- Leads performance improvement and patient safety audit/filter analysis; prepares cases for multidisciplinary peer review and Trauma Operational Committee and Trauma PI Committee reporting
- Generates routine and ad hoc trauma statistics reports covering volume trends, audit filter trends, loop closure evaluation, financial analysis, and research support
- Supports preparation for ACS-COT Level 2 Trauma Center Verification/Re-verification surveys and Riverside County EMS Agency trauma surveys
- Maintains and administers trauma registry database systems, including user interface design, database structure modification, security monitoring, and preventive maintenance
- Interfaces with external oversight bodies: The Joint Commission, CMS, ACS-COT, and Riverside County EMS Agency
- Participates in a state or national clinical organization pertaining to trauma registry
Qualifications
- Current California Registered Nurse (RN) license required
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent bachelor's degree required
- Minimum five years of trauma nursing experience; ED Trauma or Trauma ICU background required
- Trauma Registrar certification — CSTR (Certified Specialist in Trauma Registry) or CAISS (Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist) — required or must be obtained within three years of hire
- Current American Heart Association BLS certification
- Proficiency with trauma registry software, database management, and Microsoft Office suite; ability to abstract data into spreadsheet formats and present findings to multidisciplinary audiences
- Knowledge of trauma statistical reporting, peer review processes, performance improvement methodology, injury prevention, and epidemiology is a strong asset
About the Community
Palm Springs sits in the heart of the Coachella Valley in Southern California's Inland Desert — a region defined by year-round sunshine, dramatic mountain backdrops, and a vibrant arts and dining scene that draws visitors and residents alike. The area offers a lower cost of living relative to coastal Southern California metros while remaining within roughly two hours of Los Angeles and San Diego, making weekend access to major urban centers straightforward. Outdoor recreation is abundant, from hiking and cycling in the San Jacinto Mountains to golf on world-class courses throughout the valley, and the region's cultural calendar — including the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals — gives the community a distinctive energy that sets it apart from other desert markets.