FLIGHT PARAMEDIC

Covenant Health•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

Covenant Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ensures rapid response with specially trained personnel and a fleet of vehicles that are equipped with cutting-edge technology. The Covenant Health EMS team improves patient care and outcomes, supports post-discharge planning, and enhances community engagement. Working closely with all Covenant medical centers as well as several non-Covenant facilities, our EMS team ensures that advanced-level transport options are available when needed. Position Summary: The Flight Paramedic is responsible for providing high-quality, compassionate, and safe patient care in a dynamic air medical transport environment. Operating under the authority of the division Medical Director and in collaboration with a Flight Nurse, the Flight Paramedic delivers advanced life support (ALS) and critical care services to patients during interfacility and scene responses. This role requires sound clinical judgment, exceptional teamwork, and strict adherence to safety standards and established medical protocols. The Flight Paramedic must maintain readiness for mission activation at all times and demonstrate professionalism while representing Covenant Health Air Medical across multiple facilities and communities.

Requirements

None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.
Three (3) years of experience as a Paramedic in a high-volume ALS/911 system with strong working knowledge of pharmacology, ventilator management, and critical care transport protocols required.
Must have and maintain license as a Paramedic in the State of Tennessee (or be able to obtain within 90 days).
Certification meeting all requirements of the State of TN is required.
Advanced Trauma Certification (ITLS or PHTLS) required and must obtain Flight Paramedic Certification (FP-C) or CCP-C certification within 24 months of hire.
Employee must have a valid driver’s license and state mandated minimum insurance coverage.
Driving record must meet Covenant Health minimum standards at the date of hire and throughout employment tenure.

Nice To Haves

Flight or critical care transport experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Deliver high-quality advanced and critical care to patients during rotor-wing (and fixed-wing, if applicable) transports under established medical protocols and direct physician guidance.
Perform advanced life support procedures including advanced airway management, IV/IO access, pharmacologic interventions, cardiac monitoring, and ventilator management.
Assess, treat, and document all patient encounters accurately in the electronic records system.
Operate and maintain proficiency with advanced medical equipment including mechanical ventilators, infusion pumps, invasive monitoring, and cardiac monitors/defibrillators.
Collaborate closely with the Flight Nurse partner to manage patient care during flight operations.
Ensure smooth transitions of care by communicating effectively with all healthcare teams involved.
Participate in all pre-flight and post-flight briefings and adhere strictly to all aviation and safety standards (FAA, PHI, and Covenant Health).
Conduct pre-flight equipment checks, ensuring all supplies, medications, and equipment are operational and within expiration dates.
Comply with all regulatory or otherwise applicable operational standards.
Maintain situational awareness and assist pilots and crew in maintaining overall flight safety.
Report any safety hazards, incidents, or equipment issues immediately to leadership.
Maintain compliance with all Tennessee EMS, CAMTS, and Covenant Health policies and procedures.
Ensure DEA and controlled substance accountability is properly documented and reconciled per protocol.
Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) initiatives to evaluate performance and outcomes.
Maintain readiness for audits and inspections with current certifications, licensure, and training documentation.
Maintain required licensure and certifications per Covenant Health and Tennessee regulatory standards.
Participate in annual skills validation, high-fidelity simulation training, and safety drills.
Serve as a preceptor or mentor for new staff, paramedic students, or flight team trainees as assigned.
Maintain competency in clinical, operational, and safety-related subjects, including altitude physiology, stressors of flight, infection control, CRM, emergency egress, and survival training.
Foster a positive, professional, and collaborative relationship with pilots, flight nurses, dispatchers, and hospital staff.
Communicate effectively with ground EMS, hospital personnel, and other agencies to ensure continuity of patient care.
Support Covenant Health’s mission and values through professionalism, compassion, and patient-centered service.
Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
Performs other duties as assigned.