Clinicians Sought to Assist with Pediatric Surge at Yakima Memorial Hospital

The Northwest Healthcare Response Network, a coalition of public and private partners to help the health care community respond to emergencies, has asked WAFP to alert its membership to a dire need at the inpatient pediatric unit at Yakima Memorial Hospital. More information from NWHRN and the hospital below:

Washington is experiencing the same pediatric respiratory surge being felt nationally. All of the state’s pediatric specialty hospitals are at maximum capacity in order to manage the number of ill children requiring hospitalization. 

The Northwest Healthcare Response Network has been notified that an essential pediatric hospital service in Central Washington is in urgent need of assistance in December in order to stay open and provide the in-patient pediatric care needed. We are aware that this need coincides directly with the holidays, which are an extremely important time for everyone. But if you are able to consider picking up even one shift, it would be appreciated. The following is a description of the need from Yakima Memorial Hospital:

Yakima Memorial Hospital Inpatient Pediatric Service has an urgent need for in-patient pediatric hospitalist coverage from Dec. 22-28, 2022. They seek in-patient pediatric experienced providers (pediatrics, family medicine, pediatric EM, pediatric NPs or PAs) to assist with coverage. The individual must have current or recent experience in managing pediatric illness, specifically pediatric DKA, dehydration, infectious diseases, especially pediatric respiratory disease including management of asthma, bronchiolitis, and the use of HFNC.  

Clinicians will cover 12-hour shifts alongside a Yakima pediatric hospitalist and therefore will always have a local expert with whom to consult. The clinician will cover the 10-16 bed inpatient pediatric unit and manage any ED pediatric consultations. No L&D coverage is expected although newborn exams will be required.  

This is a paid position. Clinicians will sign a locums contract with Yakima Memorial Hospital and will be provided malpractice and tail coverage. Yakima Memorial Hospital uses Cerner EMR. A single clinician can sign up for any number of shifts. Accepting this opportunity does not mean you will be required to cover the entire seven days.  

For further questions please contact, Dr. CJ Koozer, medical director, Yakima Valley Hospital, pediatrics, at ckoozer@gmail.com or Kimberly Johnstone, MSN, RNC, C-EFM, interim clinical director for women and children’s services, at KimberlyJohnstone@yvmh.org.