Flight Nurse

Intermountain Health•Pagosa Springs, CO

13d•$41 - $62•Onsite

About The Position

The Flight Nurse I provides advanced, autonomous medical care to critically ill or injured patients during air and ground transport. The role requires exceptional critical thinking, technical skills, and collaboration with healthcare professionals in dynamic and non-traditional settings. The Flight Nurse is responsible for patient care, operational readiness, and contributing to the overall quality of the transport program. The employer seeks registered nurses with strong critical care backgrounds and at least three years of critical care nursing experience. Orientation groups are anticipated for mid-January and mid-April.

Requirements

At least three years of critical care nursing experience; demonstrated emergency room or critical care experience.
State-certified nurse with an unrestricted license valid in the area of operation.
Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and trauma care qualifications.
Obtain Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification within 120 days of hire.
Obtain CFRN certification within two years of hire.
Obtain advanced trauma care certification (e.g., TNATC, ATLS, PHTLS, TNCC) within one year of hire, or earlier if required by the state of operation.
Strong critical thinking and autonomous decision-making abilities in emergency and high-stress situations.
Expertise in patient care delivery, safety practices, and compassionate care of critically ill patients.
Effective communication and teamwork with diverse healthcare professionals and patient families.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution. RNs hired or promoted into this role must obtain a BSN within four years of their hire or promotion date, unless an existing education agreement takes precedence. The BSN requirement applies as of the job description's last update in July 2025; employees hired or promoted earlier are held to the requirements in effect at that time.
Meet a pre-hire weight requirement of less than 226 lbs by interview and maintain weight restrictions within policy.
Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks, including lifting, bending, and transferring patients and equipment.
Manual dexterity to operate complex medical equipment and perform life-saving procedures.
Capability to work in confined spaces, high-stress environments, and extreme conditions, including noise, vibration, temperature, and altitude.
Ability to pass annual physical health assessments and maintain stamina for long shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of diverse critical care experience across various ICU specialties.
Compact nursing license.
Advanced certification in trauma care (e.g., TNATC, ATLS, PHTLS, TNCC).
Experience mentoring or training healthcare team members.
Familiarity with advanced medical technologies and ICU-level care during transport.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced life support, critical care, and patient stabilization during air and ground transport in compliance with medical protocols and safety standards.
Assess and stabilize critically ill or injured patients using critical thinking and autonomous decision-making in high-pressure environments.
Perform pre-hospital, interfacility, and in-transport advanced life support, including airway management, cardiac care, and medication administration.
Maintain and prepare medical equipment, ensure readiness for transport, and accurately and thoroughly document patient care.
Collaborate with healthcare teams, patients, and families to support clear communication and continuity of care during transport.
Follow safety protocols, including scene safety, air medical transport procedures, and management of altitude-related physiological challenges.
Meet physical, technical, and certification requirements, pursue continuous professional development, and obtain CFRN certification within two years of hire or an appropriate specialty certification, such as CNPT for Peds/NICU.