Flight Nurse (RN), UCAN - Full-Time, Rotating

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, University of Chicago Medicine, as a Flight Nurse for the University of Chicago Aeromedical Network (UCAN) department. UCAN is staffed by a dedicated team of specially trained flight nurses, flight physicians, EMS pilots, and communication specialists--ready to respond to transport needs 24 hours a day. This position is a 100% onsite opportunity. You will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

A Flight Nurse provides high level patient care to the critically ill, or injured, neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients from the scene of injury, or who require inter-hospital transfer. Maintains the safest possible transport environment for him/herself, the patient, fellow UCAN personnel, and others who may come into contact with UCAN. Provides education regarding UCAN, UCH services, as well as medical/nursing critical care certification courses for both the internal UCH and external referring medical communities.

Essential Job Functions 

• Participate in patient transport in ground, rotor wing, and fixed wing vehicles. Initiates communication with personnel at the referring site, for every transport, to determine clinical priorities for care. Communicates changes in the patient’s clinical condition to the appropriate physician, as indicated following appropriate FAA communication guidelines. 
• Exhibits and maintains a thorough working knowledge of advanced clinical procedures, aviation safety, radio communications, transport medical equipment, altitude physiology, infection control, and emergency/survival procedures.
• Delivers high level patient care to critically ill, or injured, neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients throughout all phases of transport in collaboration with the UCAN Flight Physician, as well as Specialty Teams. Provides thorough patient assessment, collecting key information from referring medical personnel, patient, and family. Determines nursing diagnosis and priorities for care with special consideration given to the potential effects of altitude physiology and stressors of flight. Documents assessment or other clinical judgments.
• Documents assessment or other clinical judgments.
• Demonstrates ability to manage the care of patients (both pediatric and adult) to include but not be limited to the following conditions:
  • management of acute cardiovascular disease
  • management of acute respiratory failure
  • management of the patient with acute neurological insult/injury
  • management of multisystem trauma
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• Delivers high level patient care as the primary care provider on Nurse-alone transport of stable neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients as directed by Medical Control/UCAN Crew Reference Manual.
• Maintains the UCAN Helicopter patient care compartment, medical equipment, and UCAN work areas in the safest, most functional and hygienic capacities to accomplish safe and high level patient care delivery.
• Performs all post-transport activities as required, or as established under the guidance of the Administrative Director/Chief Flight Nurse, or Program/Medical Director, in collaboration with the Pilot, Flight Physician, and Communications Specialist. Assures that the patient, family, or legal guardians properly complete all authorization forms, both legal and financial. Assures that call-backs to the referring institution are completed and documented within the appropriate time frames.
• Maintains positive, as well as effective, communication and interaction at all levels.   Maintains confidentiality in matters relating to patient/family. Provides information to patients/families which reduces anxiety and conveys UCH values of patient centered care.
• Actively participates in the UCAN Quality Assurance/Continuous Quality Improvement process.
• Actively participates in the education process of both UCH and outside referring medical communities on UCAN services, as well as specific presentations relating to diagnosis/age specific patient management.
• Actively participates in UCAN Committees.
• Supports and identifies areas of UCAN cost containment. 
• Identifies areas for professional growth and seek opportunities for development.
• Completes required clinical hours in clinically related areas as mandated by IDPH and UCAN guidelines.
• Performs other duties as requested by senior management.

 Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree preferred, although equivalent previous experience as a Flight Nurse will substitute. Associate of Science in Nursing or higher
• Current Illinois licensure as a Registered Nurse 
• BLS through American Heart Association
• ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNS or TNCC, ENPC, PHTLS, or BTLS required at time of hire, or within 6 months of employment
• CFRN required within one year of hire.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required.

Required Education: Associate degree Nurses are required to enroll in a BSN program within six (6) to nine (9) months of hire and make progress toward and complete their BSN degree within 30 months. ADN nurses receive 100% tuition reimbursement towards a BSN degree from an accredited program.

Preferred Qualifications 

• ICU and/or ER experience 
• PICU experience 
• Flight Nurse experience 

Position Details 

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
• Shift: Rotating, 11a – 11p or 7a-7a (24-hours shift), every other weekend 
• Work Location: Hyde Park
• Unit/Department: UCAN
• CBA Code: NNU