Flight Nurse

Air Methods•Florence, AZ

13d•$31 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Flight Nurse provides high-quality critical care during helicopter transport, including patient assessment, triage, and treatment in accordance with standards and guidelines established by Air Methods Community Base Services (CBS) Medical Director(s). The nurse assesses the nature and extent of illness or injury, prioritizes care, and supports safe transport of critically ill or injured patients to appropriate facilities while keeping safety central throughout the transport continuum. The role is based in Florence, Arizona, and includes approximately 5% travel. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. The Flight Nurse maintains nursing care and documentation from initial patient contact through transfer to the receiving facility. The role involves maintaining clinical competency and required licenses, certifications, training, and education; using and maintaining onboard equipment and supplies; and supporting flight operations through briefings, checklists, safety procedures, and assistance to the pilot when requested. The nurse may serve as a resource to neonatal and pediatric personnel, perform approved advanced procedures, participate in outreach and follow-up, support employee and student orientation, and contribute to meetings, projects, committees, research, and publishing opportunities. Candidates must be graduates of an accredited School of Nursing and have at least three years of recent critical care or emergency nursing experience within the last five years, or as required by applicable state or local EMS regulations. A bachelor’s degree in a health-related field and pre-hospital experience are preferred; flight experience is not required but is a plus. The employee must maintain a weight of no more than 225 pounds, including an empty flight suit and boots. The role requires a flexible schedule, including overtime and a 24/7 on-call rotation. Specialty certification (CFRN or CEN) is required within 24 months of hire, along with specified trauma, neonatal resuscitation, and incident management training timelines.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Minimum three years of recent critical care or emergency nursing experience within the last five years, or as required by state or local EMS regulations.
Maintain a weight not exceeding 225 pounds, including an empty flight suit and boots.
Skills required to practice nursing under the assigned state's scope of practice and advanced practice skills as defined by Medical Director(s) and Medical Standards.
Ability to maintain positive professional relationships and collaborate with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals, and the public.
Strong critical-thinking and reasoning skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including overtime and a 24/7 on-call rotation.
Dependable and self-motivated in a frequently changing environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Current RN license(s) for the state(s) of practice.
EMS or MICN certification/licensure as required by state regulations.
Current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications, and PALS or equivalent certification where required by state or county; AHA, ARC, or ASHI courses only where required.
Advanced provider trauma certification (TPATC/TNCC/ITLS/PHTLS) if required by state or county.
CFRN or CEN specialty certification within 24 months of hire.
One acceptable advanced trauma course certification (TPATC, TNCC, ATCN, TNATC, or CAMTS-approved advanced trauma course) before completion of third-rider training.
NRP certification before completion of third-rider orientation.
NIMS IS 100, 200, 700, and 800, and HazMat training before completion of third-rider training.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide nursing care within scope of practice from initial patient contact until care is relinquished to the accepting medical facility, and maintain thorough patient care documentation.
Maintain clinical competency through ongoing laboratory and clinical experiences; communicate educational needs and maintain records of licensure, certifications, continuing education, aviation and safety training, OSHA and HIPAA training, clinical rotations, and advanced procedures.
Attend continuing education programs pertinent to the area of practice.
Demonstrate proficiency in using and maintaining Air Methods CBS equipment and supplies; report equipment failures and take initial steps to arrange repair as directed.
Maintain adequate onboard supplies and keep the aircraft clean and orderly for rapid response to transport requests.
Attend pre-mission briefings and mission debriefings and complete required documentation.
Assist with the pre-mission liftoff checklist and, when requested, assist the pilot with radio, navigational, and visual observation activities.
Comply with safety standards and conduct aircraft safety briefings as needed to protect personnel, patients, and equipment.
Serve as a flight resource to neonatal and pediatric personnel during specialty-patient helicopter transports and perform advanced skills and procedures approved by Air Methods CBS Medical Director(s).
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.