Healthcare providers and healthcare professionals weighing Short-Term Acute Care Hospital roles in Durango, Colorado look at why the setting appeals, which facilities stand out, and which professions and specialties get hired.
Short-Term Acute Care Hospital work in Durango offers high-acuity medical and surgical practice, frequent procedural exposure, and varied schedules that suit professionals seeking hands-on experience. The setting supports skill development across team-based care, perioperative services, and inpatient medicine, and it appeals to healthcare providers who value a mix of procedural and critical-care work in a community setting.
Centura – Mercy Hospital serves as the primary short-term acute care facility on Three Springs Boulevard and suits healthcare professionals focused on acute medical and surgical care. The hospital’s mix of interventional, surgical, and pulmonary services makes it relevant for procedural specialists and perioperative teams.
Durango short-term acute care hospitals commonly hire registered nurses in critical care and perioperative roles, respiratory therapists for pulmonary service lines, and technologists for procedural suites. Physician specialties such as interventional cardiology, general surgery, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, and urology frequently work with advanced practice providers and procedural support staff.
Typical pay for Short-Term Acute Care Hospital roles in Durango varies by profession, based on jobs from the last two years. For Physician, typical pay ranges from $440,865 to $727,778 per year, averaging $584,522. These pay ranges reflect jobs across 4 Short-Term Acute Care Hospitals in Durango.
The work at Short-Term Acute Care Hospitals in Durango, Colorado is shaped by the specialties they hire, the patient mix and pace, the accreditations facilities hold, the rural service demands, and what the experience builds over a career.
Physician roles concentrate in Interventional Cardiologist positions. These interventional cardiology positions involve catheter-based procedures, close peri-procedural monitoring, and coordination with procedural teams in an acute hospital environment.
Patient mix centers on acutely ill cardiac patients requiring diagnostic and interventional procedures, with a steady flow of pre- and post-procedure monitoring needs. Case acuity ranges from urgent coronary interventions to routine elective procedures, creating a variable but procedure-driven daily pace. Healthcare providers work in tight procedural teams that coordinate imaging, anesthesia support, and post-procedural care around the facility’s interventional service line.
Time in these short-term acute hospitals builds procedural competency in catheter-based cardiac interventions, rapid peri-procedural decision-making, and multidisciplinary coordination skills that translate across acute care settings. Roles in these settings typically expect current state licensure and standard life-support certification for the profession. Work experience in Durango tends to build practice within a community hospital network rather than in a large academic medical center, reinforcing generalist procedural breadth.
Among these cities, Longmont has the lowest average weekly pay at $9,751 and Greeley the highest at $14,524 based on averaged salary data over the last two years. Loveland compares at $11,110, and these Colorado communities present similar access to outdoor recreation, which helps healthcare providers consider lifestyle alongside pay. The averages are calculated over the last two years and help healthcare providers compare compensation across nearby Colorado markets when weighing short-term acute care hospital opportunities.
| City | Avg Pay/week | Facilities | Closed Roles | Related Professions | Accreditations | Most Common Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greeley, CO | $14,147 | 4 | 3 | Physician | ACHC and TJC | – |
| Loveland, CO | $11,110 | 3 | 1 | Physician | TJC | – |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $14,185 | 10 | 10 | Physician | TJC | – |
For a healthcare provider or healthcare professional on a temporary assignment, Durango, Colorado offers a distinct cost of living, neighborhoods, climate, and local highlights to weigh.
Durango has a cost of living that is slightly above the national average, reflecting higher housing and recreation costs common to mountain towns. The city has a population of about 19,000 and a median household income near $55,000. The local economy centers on outdoor recreation, tourism, energy, and health services, and the community attracts seasonal visitors as well as year-round residents.
Centura – Mercy Hospital sits near the Three Springs neighborhood, which has newer residential developments and shorter commutes for healthcare providers seeking proximity to work. Downtown Durango along Main Avenue offers historic housing, restaurants, and retail, which works for healthcare professionals who prefer walkable amenities and evening dining options. The Animas Valley and surrounding residential areas provide quieter rental choices and easier access to river trails, which suits healthcare providers seeking a low-key environment between shifts.
Durango has four distinct seasons, with cold, snowy winters that require insulated outerwear and traction footwear. Summers have warm daytime temperatures and cool nights, which require layered clothing for outdoor activities. Spring and fall present variable conditions with occasional late snow or early freezes, which require flexible wardrobe planning and readiness for changing weather.
Durango offers outdoor access to the San Juan Mountains and trail systems that support hiking, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing, which appeals to active healthcare providers. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad provides scenic excursions and local history. Main Avenue in downtown Durango provides a concentration of restaurants, craft breweries, and galleries that support social time off shift. Purgatory Resort near Durango provides downhill skiing and summer mountain recreation within a short drive.
Durango, Colorado has 4 Short-Term Acute Care Hospitals.
Typical pay varies by profession: Physician: typically $440,865 to $727,778 per year, averaging $584,522.
Specialties vary by profession: Physician: Interventional Cardiologist.
Most Short-Term Acute Care Hospital roles require prior acute care experience, typically one to three years, and current basic life support certification. Many roles require advanced certifications such as advanced cardiac life support or specialty certifications depending on the unit.
These Short-Term Acute Care Hospitals hire physicians as healthcare providers in Durango.