RN - Helicopter Critical Care Transport

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

4/30/2025

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

790035

Job Title:

RN - Helicopter Critical Care Transport

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Registered Nurse (RN) – Helicopter Critical Care Transport systematically and continuously collects and assesses data in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to provide therapeutic care for the patient and/or family. They perform all required elements of nursing assessment including but not limited to physical examination, assessment of readiness to learn, psychosocial assessment, functional assessment, and utilization of patient/family specific assessment scales as required.  The RN is an active member of the multidisciplinary team and collaborates in the development, execution, and evaluation of the multidisciplinary plan of care or critical pathway. The RN considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering care. Decisions and actions made by the RN are determined in an ethical manner with the patient and/or family.

The RN establishes goals and strategies for meeting the continuing care needs of the patient, family, and/or other care provider. The RN provides care in collaboration with other nursing staff members, delegating and supervising care in accordance with nurse practice acts and the professional nursing role. Each transport is staffed by a flight physician and critical care transport nurse who care for all types of medical emergencies in all patient age groups including, but not limited to, multi-system trauma, burns, acute cardiac conditions, and head and spinal cord injuries.

The RN utilizes research findings in their practice and demonstrates knowledge of and participates in improving organizational performance activities. The RN – Helicopter Critical Care Transport acquires and maintains knowledge in nursing practice and assumes responsibility for the professional development of self, other nursing staff, and students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Establishes an in-depth database by assessing the behavioral and physiological status of the patient utilizing interview, observation, physical examination, and other available data.

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Integrates nursing interventions into the multidisciplinary plan of care, incorporating appropriate standards of care and practice and patient outcomes.

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Provides assessment and appropriate interventions to stabilize the patient in preparation for transport.

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Implements safe, competent, and efficient patient care within policies, procedures and standards, and interventions as noted on the multidisciplinary plan of care.

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Sets priorities for patient care in response to data indicating urgent and/or emergent risk to patient; initiates action to reduce or correct risk.

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Evaluates effectiveness of teaching interventions and patient/family level of understanding and adjusts teaching and plan of care accordingly.

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Documents a comprehensive and integrated approach to patient care.

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Evaluates patient responses to care based on effectiveness of nursing interventions/actions in relationship to established outcomes and consults with medical staff, Care Team Leader, Case Manager, and/or Nurse Practitioner regarding clinical variances and recommended changes to the plan of care.

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Identifies learning needs of patients/families and teaches by adapting standard information to provide individualized and comprehensive teaching-learning. Utilizes the resources of the Teaching-Learning Center as appropriate to meet identified patient, family, and/or caregiver needs.

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Communicates any special patient or family needs or circumstances to the admitting unit.

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Provides follow-up calls, letters, updated status reports, and admitting information to referring staff in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

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Provides backup support to the Emergency Department (ED) in times of high acuity or high census.

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Contributes to and supports the effective management of the unit.

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Incorporates standards of practice and clinical practice protocols into practice to maximize clinical effectiveness.

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Acts to facilitate cost control in use of material and human resources.

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Effectively utilizes technology to support practice and efficiencies in care delivery.

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Implements practice protocols dependent on practice setting including sitter decision tree and support surface decision protocol.

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Serves as the crew chief and expert in flight operations/logistics for all air transports.

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Plans interventions and evaluates patient response based on expected outcomes identified on the critical pathway or multidisciplinary plan of care to facilitate transition to home or continuing care; ensures a timely patient discharge.

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Uses emsCharts, FlightVector, NinthBrain, or other clinical information systems to enter and access clinical information.

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Identifies opportunities and participates in evaluations designed to measure the impact of new products and technology on patient outcomes or enhancements to the patient care delivery process.

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Initiates multidisciplinary collaboration with the patient care team including Transport Physician, Respiratory Therapist, Nurse Manager, and other partners.

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Initiates steps to support and enhance the patient’s responsibility and self-determination in decision-making concerning health, treatment, and wellbeing.

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Participates as a leader or active member of unit and/or department shared governance council and/or unit specific committee

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Evaluates own performance and that of peers and other nursing staff in relation to standards.

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Demonstrates an awareness of elements in own performance needing further development and seeks opportunities to improve.

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Contributes to the learning experiences of students in cooperation with the instructor and other staff.

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Serves as a preceptor. Works directly with new employees to ensure appropriate orientation to the unit.

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Assists in orientation, instruction, direction, and evaluation of students assigned to the unit.

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Shares knowledge gained through participation in continuing education activities.

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Participates in safety training and follow-up for pre-hospital and referring staff. Actively participates in public relations events including tours, training, and other activities.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

(Select all that apply)

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Associate's Degree

in Nursing (ADN)

Required

Bachelor's Degree

in Nursing (BSN)

Preferred

3 years

of recent experience in air medical transport or three (3) years of recent experience in ICU

Required

or

5 years

experience in an Emergency Department

Required

or

5 years

of combined ED and ICU experience

Required

Patient transport experience

Preferred

Air medical transport experience

Preferred

EMS experience

Preferred

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state(s) where patients are receiving care or may work as eligible per state licensing requirements

Upon Hire

Required

Basic Life Support/CPR

Upon Hire

Required

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Upon Hire

Required

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Upon Hire

Required

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)

Upon Hire

or

Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC)

Upon Hire

or

Trauma Nurse Advanced Trauma Course (TNATC)

Upon Hire

or

Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course (TPATC)

Upon Hire

Certified Flight RN (CFRN)  

within 18 months

Required

or

Certified Transport RN (CTRN)

within 18 months

Required

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Demonstrates technical ability, understanding of job expectations, and compliance with organizational policies and procedures

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Demonstrates knowledge of UW Health care delivery system as multidisciplinary and multifaceted with a variety of entry and access points along the care continuum

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Possesses an in-depth knowledge base and skills related to the care of neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients during either air medical or ground ambulance transport

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Possesses knowledge of the principles of growth and development for the appropriate age group(s)

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Demonstrates effective delegation and supervision of other nursing team members

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Demonstrates trust, respect, honesty, and caring attitudes with patient/families and other members of the health care team

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Ability to obtain knowledge regarding quality improvements and standards of care within practice area

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Skilled at quickly building rapport with friends and family of patients by responding to their needs in a calm, courteous, and professional manner

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Communicates effectively, demonstrating tact and diplomacy

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Demonstrates knowledge of research findings and IOP activities relevant to specialty area

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, ledgers and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one, which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☐

Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☒

Heavy: Ability to lift up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Ability to lift over 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.