Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California is recruiting an experienced Registered Nurse to serve as Clinical Manager of its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit — the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley. This is a full-time, nights position with direct accountability for day-to-day shift operations, human resources management, quality improvement, and strategic planning within a high-acuity neonatal unit. Desert Regional anchors a three-hospital regional network that also operates a Level 1 Trauma Center and a comprehensive cancer center, offering a clinically rich environment for a nurse leader ready to drive measurable outcomes.
Perks and Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Health savings accounts (HSA) and healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits including pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, and auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley — the regional referral destination for the highest-acuity neonatal cases across the desert communities
- Full-time nights schedule with unit-level operational authority across the entire shift
- Responsible for staffing, scheduling, and real-time workload management including crisis and emergency response
- Manages all unit-level human resources functions: hiring, onboarding, orientation, performance evaluations (annual and probationary), counseling, and disciplinary action
- Maintains staff records including current licensure, certifications, continuing education compliance, and unit competencies
- Oversees supply cost controls, labor hour benchmarking, and budget compliance on a quarterly basis
- Integrates performance improvement (PI) philosophy into daily operations and contributes to unit-based quality trending and data collection
- Collaborates with the Director on department strategic planning — both short- and long-term goal development
- Supports hospital-wide programs including risk management, safety, and infection control
- Part of Desert Care Network, a three-hospital system serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin, with additional service lines including comprehensive stroke care and a cancer center
Qualifications
- Prior NICU Clinical Manager or Charge RN experience required
- Minimum of 3 years of NICU clinical experience
- Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license required
- Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) required at minimum
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification
- Demonstrated clinical competence in neonatal intensive care, with proven leadership and management aptitude
About the Community
Palm Springs sits at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains in the Coachella Valley, offering a desert lifestyle defined by year-round sunshine, world-class golf, vibrant arts and dining, and easy access to Joshua Tree National Park and the Salton Sea. The region draws professionals who value a lower cost of living relative to coastal Southern California, with Los Angeles and San Diego both reachable within two hours. The Coachella Valley's growing population and expanding healthcare infrastructure make this a stable, high-demand market for experienced clinical leaders.