Flight Nurse

Air Methods•Liberal, KS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Flight Nurse provides high-quality critical care during helicopter transport, including assessment, triage, and treatment according to standards and guidelines established by Air Methods Community Base Services Medical Directors. The nurse determines the nature and extent of illness or injury, prioritizes care, and supports safe transport of critical patients to appropriate facilities while maintaining safety throughout the transport continuum. The role is based in Liberal, Kansas, and includes an annual stipend of $6,000. The Flight Nurse provides nursing care from initial contact through transfer to the receiving facility, maintains complete patient care documentation, and keeps clinical knowledge and psychomotor skills current through ongoing training and experience. The nurse maintains required credentials and training, uses and maintains onboard medical equipment, and ensures aircraft supplies and cabin readiness. As a clinical flight crew member, the nurse participates in mission briefings and debriefings, supports pre-flight procedures, follows aircraft safety standards, and may assist the pilot with radio, navigation, and visual observation activities. The position may provide flight resources to neonatal and pediatric personnel, perform approved advanced procedures, participate in patient and institutional follow-up and outreach, and support the orientation of new employees and students. The Flight Nurse also participates in meetings, projects, committees, research, and publishing opportunities. The role has no supervisory responsibilities. Approximately 5% of work time is spent traveling. A clinical flight crew member must weigh no more than 225 pounds, including an empty flight suit and boots. The position requires a flexible schedule, including overtime and 24/7 on-call rotation.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
At least three years of recent critical care or emergency nursing experience within the last five years, or as required by state or local EMS regulations.
Current RN license(s) for states of practice.
EMS or MICN certification/licensure as required by state regulations.
Current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR, ACLS, PALS or equivalent certifications, and an advanced provider trauma certification (TPATC/TNCC/ITLS/PHTLS) when required by state or county.
If the candidate does not have a current trauma certification, complete the Air Methods-provided TPATC online course before new-hire orientation.
Obtain CFRN or CEN specialty certification within 24 months of hire.
Complete one acceptable advanced trauma course (TPATC, TNCC, ATCN, TNATC, or a CAMTS-approved advanced trauma course) before completion of third-rider training.
Obtain NRP certification before completion of third-rider orientation.
Complete NIMS training IS 100, 200, 700, and 800, and HazMat training before completion of third-rider training.
Maintain a weight not exceeding 225 pounds, including an empty flight suit and boots.
Demonstrate nursing and advanced practice skills required by the assigned state scope of practice and Medical Director(s) and Medical Standards.
Maintain positive interpersonal relationships and collaborate with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals, and the public.
Demonstrate critical thinking, reasoning, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Be able to work a flexible schedule, including overtime and a 24/7 on-call rotation.
Be dependable and self-motivated in a frequently changing environment.
Have excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
Be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field.
Pre-hospital experience.
Flight experience.

Responsibilities

Provide nursing care within the applicable scope of practice from initial contact until care is transferred to the accepting medical facility, and maintain thorough patient care documentation.
Assess, triage, and treat critical patients; prioritize care for safe transport to the appropriate facility.
Maintain clinical competency through laboratory and clinical experiences, continuing education, and required training; communicate educational needs to the Medical Base Supervisor and Medical Education Coordinator.
Maintain documentation of required licensure, certifications, continuing education, aviation and safety training, OSHA and HIPAA training, clinical rotations, and advanced procedures.
Use and maintain Air Methods CBS equipment and supplies, report equipment failures, take initial steps toward repair as directed, and keep onboard supplies adequate.
Keep the aircraft clean and orderly to support rapid response to transport requests.
Attend pre-mission briefings and mission debriefings, complete required documentation, and assist with the pre-mission liftoff checklist.
Assist the pilot as requested with radio, navigational, and visual observation activities.
Comply with safety standards and conduct aircraft safety briefings as needed to protect crew, patients, and equipment.
Serve as a flight resource to neonatal and pediatric personnel during specialty transports and perform advanced skills and procedures approved by Air Methods CBS Medical Directors.
Participate in patient and referring-institution follow-up and planned outreach, marketing, and education activities.
Act as a preceptor and/or participate in orientation of new employees and students as assigned, and communicate program goals and objectives.
Participate regularly in Air Methods CBS meetings, activities, projects, and committees, including research and publishing opportunities.
Maintain regularly scheduled attendance and perform other duties as assigned.