Trauma RN Team Lead

Position Overview

Department:
Trauma
Union: CNA

Shift: 12-hour Shift - Day (United States of America)
Hours Per Pay Period: 72
Salary Range: $55.74 - $81.20 per hour
Posting Date: 07/15/2026
Internal Closing Date:
July
21,2026

• Provide optimal care for injured patients during resuscitation and initial diagnostic phases.
• Act as a representative of Trauma Services, ensuring patient care is conducted within hospital practice guidelines approved by the trauma service and the County.
• Coordinate and direct care using critical thinking, interpersonal, and technical skills.
• Serve as a clinical resource to nursing and ancillary staff for trauma patients throughout the continuum of care.
• Participate in formal and informal educational programs for nursing staff and precept as requested.
• Assist with data collection for maintenance of the Trauma Registry.
• Observe and direct patient lifts and mobilization, including patient handling responsibilities.
• Perform shift inventory of required equipment and supplies for the Trauma Resus Bay.
• Prepare the trauma bay for the arrival of a trauma patient based on mechanism, pathophysiology, and suspected injuries.
• Collaborate with the trauma surgeon to complete primary and secondary surveys with appropriate treatments and interventions.
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of documentation in nursing records during both resuscitation and diagnostic phases.
• In the event of multiple simultaneous trauma activations, collaborate with ED Supervisor/Charge, Trauma Surgeon(s) on call, Trauma Program Manager, and House Supervisor to prioritize nursing care needs.
• Track and document all trauma bypass incidences throughout closure and re‑opening per protocol.
• Assist in patient care in the Emergency Department, rounding on trauma resource patients in collaboration with unit nursing supervisors as requested and verified by the Trauma Program Manager.
• May accompany trauma ICU patients for diagnostic procedures when appropriate.
• Participate in trauma patient rounding for performance data collection throughout the Trauma Service Line.

• Minimum Education:
  
  Registered Nurse (RN) License required.
• Preferred Education:
  
  Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Minimum Experience:
  
  3 years of critical care/trauma experience at Palomar Health.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  5 years of critical care/trauma experience plus experience as a TNCC or ATCN instructor.
• Required
  
  Certifications:
  
  - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Emergency RN Pediatric Course (ENPC) within 6 months of hire.
  - American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
  - American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
  - Trauma RN Core Curriculum (TNCC) or Advance Trauma Core Nursing (ATCN) one‑time course completion.
  - CPR (CPI) within 6 months of hire.
• Preferred
  
  Certifications:
  
  - Certified Critical Care RN.
  - Certified Emergency RN.
  - Trauma RN Core Curriculum (TNCC) or Advance Trauma Core Nursing (ATCN) Instructor.
• Required License:
  Current California RN License.
• Additional
  
  Skills:
  
  - Proficiency with standard office equipment (calculator, fax, photocopier).
  - Computer skills including MS Windows, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, internet, e‑mail; keyboarding and mouse use.
• English proficiency sufficient to perform essential functions.

• Follow Palomar Health rules, policies, procedures, applicable laws and standards.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, gender, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.