Getting hired as air ambulance flight crew requires a Herculean amount of effort. All flight crew positions are extremely competitive. So before you commit the massive amount of time and effort required to earn a position, it’s important to understand the general requirements air medical flight programs.
Flying as medical crew on an air ambulance helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft is demanding and rewarding. Flying air medical is not for everybody. Understand the requirements and commitment involved before you start.
Some requirements are dependent on the specific flight position for which you apply. It is important to note general requirements vary from program to program. It is possible to not meet all the general requirements in this article and still be competitive for certain positions. Serious applicants are encouraged to check with each and every air medical program of interest.
Air Ambulance General Requirements:
Flight Paramedic:
Qualifications:
- National Registry and state level paramedic certification.
- Strong clinical decision-making skills.
- CPR, ACLS, PALS,1.5G 1500mW Wireless AV Transmitter and receiver kit for FPV, ITLS or PHTLS. Instructor certifications preferred.
- In hospital experience, either in the emergency department or in a critical care unit.
- Ability to function independently.
- Strong inter-personal skills.
- Ability to function as part of a team.
- 3 – 5 years of experience as a certified paramedic in a busy EMS system.
Certifications:
- BLS (Basic Life Support for healthcare providers)
- ACLS (American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
- PALS (American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
- BTLS (Basic Trauma Life Support)
- PHTLS (National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support)
- NRP verification (National Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
- Local trauma course and command certification by hiring entity.
- FP-C (Flight Paramedic Certification) Not usually required prior to employment. Sometimes required within two years of hiring date.
Weight:
- Within the established guidelines of the flight program. Maximum weight of 200 – 225 lbs duty weight (includes personal gear, survival vest, etc). Many programs have no weight restrictions.
*Specific qualifications are dependent on individual flight programs and applicable state guidelines.
*In some cases one qualification may be substituted for another. For example,2.4G PA RF Module nRF24L01+PA+LNA, BTLS for PHTLS.
Flight Nurse:
- Qualifications:
- Three years recent experience as a registered nurse in critical care, trauma, emergency and/or transport nursing; or three years experience as a registered nurse with a minimum of five years experience in emergency medical services.
- License to practice as a registered nurse in the state for which you are applying.
Certifications:
- BLS (Basic Life Support for healthcare providers)
- ACLS (American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
- PALS (American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
- BTLS (Basic Trauma Life Support)
- PHTLS (National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support)
- CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) Required within two years of hiring date.
- CFRN (Certified Flight Registered Nurse) Required within two years of hiring date.
- CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) Required within two years of hire.
- NRP verification (National Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
- EMT (Emergency Medical Technician certification) State specific or National registry.
- Local trauma course and command certification by hiring entity
Weight:
Within the established guidelines of the flight program. Maximum weight of 200 – 225 lbs duty weight (includes personal gear, survival vest, etc). Many programs have no weight restrictions. In many cases one qualification may be substituted for another. For example, BTLS for PHTLS or CCRN for CFRN and/or CEN.
*Specific qualifications are dependent on individual programs and applicable state guidelines.