Flight Nurse Float - South Central Region

Air Methods•Phoenix, AZ

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Flight Nurse Float supports multiple Clinical Flight Teams at Air Methods Community Base Services (CBS) bases in regions where the nurse is currently licensed. The nurse provides high-quality care—including assessment, triage, and treatment—under standards and guidelines established by CBS Medical Director(s). The role assesses illness or injury, prioritizes care, and transports critically ill or injured patients safely to an appropriate facility. Safety is the highest priority throughout the transport continuum. The position includes delivering nursing care from initial contact until handoff to the receiving medical facility, documenting patient care, maintaining clinical competency and required training records, and communicating educational needs. The Flight Nurse maintains and monitors medical equipment and aircraft supplies, helps keep the aircraft ready for response, participates in mission briefings and debriefings, and assists the pilot with requested checklist, radio, navigation, or observation tasks. The nurse also supports specialty neonatal and pediatric transports, conducts safety briefings as needed, participates in outreach and follow-up, and may precept or orient employees and students. This float role requires availability for at least two 24-hour shifts per week at any CBS base where currently licensed. Schedules are assigned by Centralized Scheduling 4–8 weeks in advance; self-scheduling is not permitted. The position involves 85% travel and may require a flexible schedule, overtime, and on-call rotation. The role has no supervisory responsibilities. A sign-on bonus of $30,000 is advertised. The listed annual pay range is $89,406.72–$109,274.88.

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.
One year of full-time flight experience required.
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.
Required specialty certification: CFRN, CCRN, or CEN.
One acceptable advanced trauma course certification: TNCC, ATLS/ATCN, TPATC, or a CAMTS-approved advanced trauma course; an additional 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, and 800, plus HazMat.
Maintain weight not exceeding 225 pounds, including empty flight suit and boots.
Skills required to practice nursing under the assigned state scope of practice and advanced practice skills defined by Medical Director(s) and Medical Standards.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals, and the public.
Critical thinking, reasoning, attention to detail, prioritization, and multitasking in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes 24-hour shifts, overtime, and an on-call rotation.
Dependability, self-motivation, and adaptability in a frequently changing environment.
Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Availability for at least two 24-hour shifts per week at any currently licensed CBS base; schedules are assigned 4–8 weeks in advance and self-scheduling is not permitted.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide nursing care within scope of practice from initial patient contact through transfer of care to the accepting medical facility, maintaining thorough documentation.
Assess, triage, and treat patients; determine the nature and extent of illness or injury and prioritize care for safe transport to an appropriate facility.
Maintain clinical knowledge and psychomotor skills through ongoing laboratory and clinical experiences, and communicate educational needs to the Clinical Education Team.
Maintain documentation of licensure, certifications, continuing education, aviation and safety training, OSHA and HIPAA training, clinical rotations, and advanced procedures; attend relevant continuing education programs.
Know how to use and routinely maintain medical equipment and supplies; report equipment failures and take initial steps to arrange repairs as directed.
Maintain adequate onboard patient-care supplies and keep the aircraft clean and orderly for transport requests.
Attend pre-mission briefings and mission debriefings and complete required documentation.
Assist with pre-mission liftoff checklists and assist the pilot with requested radio, navigation, and visual observation activities.
Follow 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 CBS Medical Director(s).
Participate in patient and referring-institution follow-up 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.
Participate in CBS meetings, activities, projects, and committees, including research and publishing opportunities.
Maintain availability for a minimum of two 24-hour shifts per week at any CBS base where currently licensed, subject to centralized scheduling.
Travel as required; the posting indicates 85% travel.