Flight Nurse Full Time -Philadelphia

PRE-FLIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Obtains medical report from Medical Coordinator or designee, to include addressing diseases affected by altitude. May obtain medical intake information at direction of medical leadership or designee.

• Calls for updated patient medical report for the discharging facility / physician, if needed.

• Completes pre-flight checklists.

• Assures medical equipment is accounted for, properly functioning, and securely stowed on the aircraft.

• Familiar with location and use of equipment and supplies, to include all medications.

• Assures additional medical equipment / supplies are available for specific needs of the patient condition and needs, based on available patient report and distance of transport.

• Logs out controlled substance / narcotics box per policy.

• Communicates condition, acuity, and any unusual issues with entire transport team.

• Reviews dispatch sheer with Medical Coordinator and Flight Crew, noting any special instructions.

• Participates in pre-flight briefings with other members of team, including pilots.

TRANSPORT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs and documents a complete head to toe assessment of the patient (to include neuro, skin, HEENT, neck, chest, cardiac, abdominal, pelvis, GU, back, and extremities at a minimum.

• Assures patient and passengers have all appropriate documentation, i.e. passports, visas, before departure from the discharging facility. Calls Dispatch if any uncertainty or questions as to appropriateness of travel documents.

• Review release forms, waivers, DNR (when appropriate) to family member and/or patient.

• Answers questions and assures signatures are obtained prior to leaving discharging facility.

• Safeguards medical records, X-rays, etc. per HIPAA regulations.

• Assists pilots as needed in baggage search for hazardous materials.

• Assures patients medical records and personal belongings accompanying patient.

• Coordinates the transfer of the patient to the aircraft, maintaining continuity of care and insuring patient, passengers, and belongings are secured.

• Assures compliance with minimum standards patient care requirements - see policy.

• Provides orientation and mentoring for new program/flight crew members, medical and aviation.

• Continuously monitors and documents patient’s condition to include, but not limited to, head to toe assessment with updates, vital signs, continuous cardiac monitoring, and pulse oximetry, including documentation of cabin pressures hourly, treatment / interventions / medications performed, with responses noted, and pain scale 1 to 10 out of 10 noted with vital sign assessment. Completes medical record documentation, including demographics and signatures.

• Assures completion of Physician’s Order form and completes the controlled substance inventory control form.

• Assures adherence to universal precautions and initiates additional precautions deemed necessary by disease specific diagnosis and/or signs and symptoms.

• Communicates changes in patient’s condition to Medical Coordinator, Resource Manager and Medical Director as needed. Initiates flight schedule changes according to patient condition changes, keeping MC, RM and Medical Director as well as Dispatch informed of these changes. Any change in patient condition requiring contacting outside agencies must first be approved by Resource Manager and Medical Director or designee, as well as Dispatch and Operations team.