Flight Nurse Float - South Central

Air Methods • Homebased, NM

7d

About The Position

The Flight Nurse provides high-quality nursing care to critically ill or injured patients during air transport, including assessment, triage, treatment, and thorough patient care documentation. The nurse determines the nature and extent of illness or injury, prioritizes care, and supports safe transport to the appropriate medical facility under standards and guidelines established by Air Methods Community Base Services (CBS) Medical Director(s). Safety is the highest priority throughout the transport continuum. This float position supports multiple Clinical Flight Teams at CBS bases in regions where the nurse is currently licensed.

The Flight Nurse maintains clinical competency through ongoing laboratory and clinical experience, continuing education, and required training. The role includes maintaining aircraft medical equipment and supplies, reporting equipment failures, keeping the aircraft clean and orderly, participating in mission briefings and debriefings, and assisting with pre-mission checklists and pilot requests. The nurse follows safety standards, conducts aircraft safety briefings as needed, may serve as a flight resource for neonatal and pediatric specialty transports, and performs approved advanced procedures. The role also includes patient and referring-institution follow-up, outreach and education, precepting or orientation support, and participation in meetings, projects, committees, research, and publishing opportunities.

The position requires a high degree of scheduling flexibility and availability for at least two 24-hour shifts per week at any CBS base where currently licensed. Schedules are provided 4–8 weeks in advance by the Centralized Scheduling team; self-scheduling is not permitted. The position involves approximately 85% travel. Regular attendance is an essential function. This role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
• At least three years of recent critical care/emergency nursing experience within the last five years, or as required by state or local EMS regulations.
• At least one year of full-time flight experience.
• Current RN license(s) for states of practice where Air Methods maintains CBS locations.
• Current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR, ACLS, PALS or equivalent, and TNCC/ITLS/PHTLS advanced-provider certifications 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 advanced skills lab may be required, and a second trauma course may be required based on state requirements.
• Current NRP certification.
• NIMS training: IS 100, 200, 700, and 800, plus HazMat.
• Maintain a weight not exceeding 225 pounds including empty flight suit and boots.
• Nursing and advanced-practice skills as required by the assigned state scope of practice and Medical Director(s) and Medical Standards.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, critical-thinking, reasoning, attention-to-detail, prioritization, and multitasking skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including 24-hour shifts, overtime, and an on-call rotation.
• Dependability, self-motivation, and adaptability in a frequently changing environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Availability for a minimum of two 24-hour shifts per week at any CBS base where currently licensed; availability must meet the stated scheduling requirements.

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 contact until care is transferred to the accepting medical facility, and maintain thorough patient care 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 competency through ongoing laboratory and clinical experiences, and communicate educational needs to the Clinical Education Team.
• Maintain records 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 Air Methods CBS equipment and supplies; report medical equipment failures and take initial steps to arrange repairs as directed.
• Maintain adequate onboard medical supplies and keep the aircraft clean and orderly for rapid response to transport requests.
• Attend pre-mission briefings and mission debriefings as a medical flight crew member and complete required documentation.
• Assist with pre-mission liftoff checklists and assist the pilot with radio, navigational, and visual observation activities as requested.
• 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 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 Air Methods CBS meetings, activities, projects, and committees, including research and publishing opportunities.
• Maintain availability to be scheduled for a minimum of two 24-hour shifts per week at any currently licensed CBS base; comply with centrally assigned scheduling.
• Maintain regular attendance and follow Air Methods employment practices and policies.

Benefits

• $30,000 sign-on bonus for internal and external candidates.
• The posting refers to an industry-leading benefits package and directs candidates to the company's benefits page for details, but does not specify individual benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree