Flight Nurse Float-Pac West Region

Air Methods • Homebased, CA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

Air Methods is hiring a Flight Nurse Float for its Pac West Region. The position provides high-quality critical-care nursing during helicopter transport, assessing and prioritizing the care needed to safely transport patients to an appropriate facility. The nurse works within their scope of practice and the standards established by Air Methods Community Base Services (CBS) Medical Director(s), while keeping safety the highest priority throughout the transport continuum. This float position supports Clinical Flight Teams at bases in regions where the employee is currently licensed, including California, Arizona, and Nevada.

The role includes maintaining clinical competence and documentation, managing aircraft medical equipment and supplies, and participating in flight briefings, checklists, and safety procedures. The nurse may serve as a resource to neonatal and pediatric personnel, perform approved advanced procedures, support community outreach, and precept or orient new employees and students. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

The employee must be available to be scheduled for at least two 24-hour shifts per week at any CBS base where currently licensed. Schedules are provided by the Centralized Scheduling team 4–8 weeks in advance; self-scheduling is not permitted. The position involves 85% travel. Employees must maintain a weight not exceeding 225 pounds, including an empty flight suit and boots.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
• At least three years of recent critical-care/emergency nursing experience within the last five years, or as required by state/local EMS regulations.
• One year of full-time flight experience.
• Current RN license(s) for states of practice where Air Methods maintains CBS locations.
• Current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications; PALS or equivalent and TNCC/ITLS/PHTLS advanced-provider certification when required by state or county.
• Specialty certification in CFRN, CCRN, or CEN.
• One acceptable advanced trauma course certification: TNCC, ATLS/ATCN, TPATC, or a CAMTS-approved advanced trauma course; a second trauma course may be required by state requirements, and an advanced skills lab may be required for some courses.
• Current NRP certification.
• NIMS training: IS 100, 200, 700, 800, and HazMat.
• Maintain a weight not exceeding 225 pounds including empty flight suit and boots.
• Clinical skills required by the applicable state scope of practice and advanced-practice skills defined by the Medical Director(s) and Medical Standards.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals, and the public.
• Strong critical-thinking and reasoning skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage complex situations in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including 24-hour shifts, overtime, and on-call rotations.
• Dependability, self-motivation, and ability to work in a frequently changing environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to be scheduled for at least two 24-hour shifts per week at any currently licensed CBS base; schedules are issued 4–8 weeks in advance and self-scheduling is not permitted.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field.
• Pre-hospital experience.
• Nurse compact license.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care within scope of practice from initial contact until care is transferred to the accepting medical facility, and maintain thorough patient care documentation.
• Assess and prioritize patient care needs for safe transport to an appropriate medical facility.
• Maintain clinical knowledge and psychomotor skills through ongoing laboratory and clinical experiences.
• Keep licensure, certifications, continuing education, aviation and safety training, OSHA and HIPAA compliance, clinical rotations, and advanced-procedure documentation current; communicate educational needs to the Clinical Education Team.
• Demonstrate proficiency with Air Methods CBS equipment and supplies, report equipment failures, coordinate repairs, maintain onboard patient-care supplies, and keep aircraft clean and organized.
• Attend pre-mission briefings and debriefings, complete required documentation and checklists, and assist the pilot with radio, navigational, and visual-observation activities as requested.
• Follow safety standards and conduct aircraft safety briefings when needed.
• Serve as a flight resource to neonatal and pediatric personnel during specialty-patient helicopter transports and perform advanced skills and procedures approved by the Medical Director(s).
• Participate in patient follow-up, referring-institution coordination, and planned outreach, marketing, and education activities.
• Precept and/or participate in orientation of new employees and students as assigned, and communicate program goals and objectives to new team members.
• Participate regularly in Air Methods CBS meetings, activities, projects, and committees, including research and publishing opportunities.
• Maintain flexibility and availability to be scheduled for a minimum of two 24-hour shifts per week at any currently licensed CBS base.
• Maintain regular attendance and follow Air Methods employment practices and policies.

Benefits

• $30,000 sign-on bonus for internal and external applicants.
• Benefits are available; the posting directs applicants to the company benefits page for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree