Flight Nurse (Contract/Per Diem)

Aery Aviation•Cleveland, OH

23d•Onsite

About The Position

Aery Aviation, LLC is looking for a Flight Nurse to provide direct patient care throughout transport operations. This role involves pre-transport reviews, in-flight patient care, and post-transport duties, ensuring patient safety and adherence to flight protocols. The Flight Nurse will operate within their nursing scope of practice, manage patient care in a resource-limited environment, and collaborate with the crew and medical control when necessary. The position also includes responsibilities for documentation, equipment checks, restocking, and participating in quality assurance programs.

Requirements

Unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Ohio; multi-state licensure preferred given interstate transport operations
Minimum 3 years of clinical experience in an ICU, emergency department, or critical care transport setting
CFRN (Certified Flight Registered Nurse) required within 2 years of hire
Current BLS and ACLS provider certification required
PALS required or must be obtained within 90 days of hire per Medical Director direction
Working knowledge of flight physiology, altitude-related patient considerations, and the physiologic stressors of the transport environment
Ability to function independently in a resource-limited environment with minimal direct supervision

Nice To Haves

Trauma course certification (ITLS or PHTLS) preferred, per medical director directive
Prior fixed-wing or rotor-wing air transport experience preferred

Responsibilities

Reviews all available patient information prior to transport, including medical history, current diagnoses, active medications, vital signs, and relevant diagnostic results.
Confirms transport readiness in coordination with the Medical Director or designee and the referring provider.
Participates in pre-transport crew briefing, including patient condition, anticipated clinical challenges, contingency planning, and safety considerations.
Conducts equipment and medication checks to confirm the medical bag and aircraft medical configuration are stocked, functional, and appropriate for the patient's acuity and anticipated interventions; documents bag check per inventory policy.
Confirms all required transport documentation is initiated prior to departure, including consent forms, transport orders, and the patient care record.
Provides direct patient care throughout the transport as the clinical crew member of record, operating within the nursing scope of practice and approved offline protocols and Medical Director-issued standing orders.
Conducts a comprehensive physical assessment upon patient contact, including but not limited to neurological status, airway, breathing, circulation, skin, and pain; reassesses at defined intervals or with any change in patient condition.
Manages all aspects of nursing care in-flight including IV access and maintenance, medication administration, cardiac monitoring, airway management, hemodynamic monitoring, wound care, and emergency intervention within nursing scope of practice.
Administers medications safely and in accordance with approved protocols, including verification of drug, dose, route, and patient identity prior to administration; documents all medications administered with time, route, and patient response within the required timeframe.
Operates and interprets all transport monitoring equipment including cardiac monitor, pulse oximetry, capnography, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring as applicable to patient condition and aircraft configuration.
Applies sound clinical judgment in managing unanticipated patient deterioration or emergent events, initiating contact with medical control when indicated and within communications capability.
Maintains situational awareness of the transport environment at all times, including altitude effects on patient physiology, oxygen supply duration, IV fluid & medication availability, and estimated time to destination.
Provides patient-centered care throughout transport including pain and anxiety management, patient positioning, comfort measures, and clear communication with the patient and any accompanying family members.
Adheres to all flight safety protocols including sterile cockpit requirements during critical phases of flight and proper securing of all equipment, IV lines, monitoring leads, and the patient at all times.
Defers to the pilot-in-command on all matters of flight safety without exception.
Provides a complete and accurate verbal & written handoff to the receiving care team at the destination facility, including patient history, clinical course during transport, interventions performed, medications administered, and any changes in condition.
Completes all required patient care documentation in full prior to departure from the receiving facility or within the timeframe specified in documentation policy, including the patient care report, medication log, and any required regulatory forms.
Participates in post-transport debriefing with the crew when indicated, particularly following high-acuity transports, adverse events, or near-misses.
Restocks the medical bag and aircraft medical supplies following each transport in accordance with the restocking protocol; documents any controlled substances used and ensures proper chain-of-custody documentation is completed before the next mission.
Reports any equipment malfunctions, supply discrepancies, medication errors, or safety concerns to the Clinical Supervisor promptly following the transport.
Completes all required initial orientation training prior to functioning as an independent transport crew member, including specific protocols, equipment operation, aircraft familiarization, flight safety, and emergency procedures.
Completes all required annual continuing education and skills verification as defined by the Medical Director and Clinical Supervisor, including but not limited to BLS/ACLS/PALS recertification, protocol updates, airway management skills verification, and competency evaluations.
Actively pursues CFRN certification if not held at hire, with documented progress toward completion within 2 years of hire.
Participates in scheduled education events, case reviews, simulation exercises, and in-services as directed.
Maintains personal clinical currency in critical care and transport nursing and remains familiar with current transport medicine literature and practice changes relevant to the program's scope of care.
Participates in the QA/QI program by submitting complete and accurate transport documentation that enables clinical case review.
Cooperates fully with any case review, peer review, or adverse event review initiated by the Medical Director or Clinical Supervisor.
Maintains compliance with all applicable HIPAA requirements, DEA controlled substance requirements, and Aery policies and procedures at all times.
Discloses any changes in licensure status, certification lapses, or clinical fitness concerns to the Clinical Supervisor or Medical Director immediately upon awareness.