Which is the best trauma hospital to work for in the Miami area

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Specializes in Trauma ICU.

I'm moving to the Miami area this fall and have been speaking to several travel agencies about seasonal contracts at the level I and II hospitals in the area. I am planing to live in the North Miami area (Davie or Weston possibly) so I am wondering how the drive times might been to each hospital. I have been told that public transportation is pretty good from Northern areas into Miami?

One agency keeps steering me towards Aventura hospital even though it is not a trauma hospital the recruiter says its a state of the art fantastic hospital?? I see they have a neuro icu and I might not mind that for a 13 week contract.

I have worked for HCA so Kendall sounds good in the fact that I know meditech already so that would be one less thing to learn. I speak almost no Spanish but I'm working on that. Can I survive with only English?

The other hospitals I have questions about are Jackson Memorial and Memorial Regional. Jackson sounds like a great learning opportunity since I have only worked at level II up to this point. Memorial would be closer to where I think I will be living.

One agency told me that both Jackson Memorial and Memorial Regional pay less than the HCA hospitals pertaining to seasonal contracts but I have not been able to compare them yet.

So, if anyone can fill me in on ratios, scheduling, work environment, drive times, etc I would be so grateful. I know 13 weeks is a short commitment but this will also be my first travel contract. :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Jackson (Ryder Trauma Center) is great. I spent two weeks there as part of my training for deployment, it's the Army Trauma Training Center for Forward Surgical Teams. The staff is outstanding and the traumas were plentiful. I don't know which system they use for documentation as we spent our trauma cases practicing documentation on our deployment forms while our Army preceptors (on staff at Ryder) did the actual documentation. I would love to work there as a civilian!

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Specializes in Multi-Speciality ICU.

Hi there! I know this post is older, but how did you make out with traveling to South Florida? I am considering moving to the area as well. I have 8 yrs ICU experience, 3 of those being at a level 1 trauma center. I would love to take a travel assignment at Jackson first to test the waters!

Thanks for any info!

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Hi Pixie,

I am actually going to be deploying for the first time, and I have been a med-surge RN for about 2 years now. All my experience has been in Hematology/Oncology. I will be attending the ATTC at Ryder and I am a little nervous. I believe I am the only 66H with no identifier attending the course. Most of the people on the list are MDs, trauma RNs, or ICU RNs. What was the experience like? I am pretty smart and I know I will learn a lot, but I feel a little bit out of my comfort zone. Mostly, I just don't want to look dumb! :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Hi Pixie,

I am actually going to be deploying for the first time, and I have been a med-surge RN for about 2 years now. All my experience has been in Hematology/Oncology. I will be attending the ATTC at Ryder and I am a little nervous. I believe I am the only 66H with no identifier attending the course. Most of the people on the list are MDs, trauma RNs, or ICU RNs. What was the experience like? I am pretty smart and I know I will learn a lot, but I feel a little bit out of my comfort zone. Mostly, I just don't want to look dumb!

Congrats on the deployment! Those are difficult to come by these days. ;) Are you deploying with the FST you are training with? That was one of the great things about my time in Miami — I got to meet my peeps.

I would recommend getting a copy of the TNCC manual and reading it. The point of ATTC is learning to take care of traumas as a team, and TNCC teaches an orderly, head to toe process in which that teamwork is applied. Enjoy the experience! Ryder is awesome. Feel free to PM or post if you have any other questions!

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Thank you for the advice. I did just finish up with TNCC about a week ago in anticipation of the deployment. I am actually going to be part of a CSH, so I was surprised that I was going to this course. I was initially told that I would be attending the Joint Forces Combat Trauma Management Course in San Antonio. I am guessing they may have had extra slots and enrolled some of the less experienced folks in ATTC instead. I am excited for the course and meeting people with different experiences. It is also a bonus that my entire family lives in Miami. :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I did both courses before I deployed. ATTC is far superior!! :) At least I don't have to warn you to be careful crossing the street in Miami, I am sure you are aware of the crazy driving — we saw a lot of pedestrian vs. car at Ryder.

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