Pediatric Transport Nurse (RN), Full-Time

Transport Nurse

Responsible for delivery of care to the patient population of critically ill/injured neonatal/pediatric patients whose complex and changing needs are addressed by the use of the nursing process. Transport nurses will be responsible for flight and ground transport requirements. The Children's Hospital transport nurse will retain the authority, responsibility, and shift accountability for the delivery of nursing care, for their patient while on transport. The transport nurse will function as a resource and offer assistance, in any area where there is a Children's hospital patient, when not on transport.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact ( eNLC ).
• Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of hire.
• Obtain the following Certifications within 90 days of hire:
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).

Experience:

Two (2) years of pediatric/neonatal intensive care unit nursing experience OR; Two (2) years of pediatric/neonatal experience in ground or air transport or Emergency Department setting OR; Four (4) years of pediatric/neonatal experience in ground or air transport in a military healthcare setting.

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• West Virginia (Mobile Critical Care Nurse) MCCN within two (2) years of hire.
• S.T.A.B.L.E. Certification.
• Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) OR International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) OR Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certifications preferred.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Demonstrates nursing expertise in caring for a specific group of patients with complex and rapidly changing needs by using the nursing process.
• Provides accurate assessment, anticipates potential problems, takes appropriate action and performs appropriate interventions then evaluates and documents accordingly.
• Bases decisions made/actions taken on relevant scientific principles and established standards of care.
• Completes established documentation of transport related activities, including unit appropriate forms.
• Provides coordination and collaborates with other health care providers.
• Stabilizes the acutely ill neonatal and pediatric patient in the referring center through assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation of care, along with consulting with the referring medical provider. Obtains consultation with the accepting attending physician.
• Performs treatments and procedures in accordance with policies of the WVU Medicine Children's Transport Program within the framework set for by WVUH accepting Attending. With documented training, competently performs stabilization and resuscitation of the critically ill neonatal and pediatric patient population utilizing the following specialized procedures, in addition to the clinical skills obtained at the bedside of their respective units: Endotracheal intubation, Umbilical vessel catheterization, Needle thoracotomy, Chest tube placement, Mechanical ventilation, and Intraosseous access.
• Administers medication in accordance with the policies and procedures of WVUH.
• While on transport, initiates direct phone or radio communication between the transport team and the accepting attending physician at WVU Medicine Children's to report and discuss clinical assessment and patient status, stabilization interventions, and potential or present complications.
• Identifies referral hospital education needs and helps to meet these education needs through informal and/or formal teaching. Communicates needs that are identified to the Transport Supervisor.
• Continually evaluates methods of practice; recommends changes and modification of practice to meet patient needs.
• Ensures communication is maintained within the WVU Medicine Children's Transport program, flight program and with other agencies/personnel.
• Coordinates care with other health care professionals, while demonstrating sound decision making skills in the coordination of care.
• Performs established patient follow-up activities within 72-hours of transport.
• Maintains clear and effective radio and phone communications.
• Participates in activities to provide for the safety of patient, EMS personnel, staff and other healthcare providers.
• Ensures cleaning of transport program equipment in accordance with established Infection Control Policy and hospital guidelines.
• Participates in other healthcare promotional activities sponsored by the hospital and WVU Medicine Children's transport.
• Maintains all essential equipment.
• Ensures routine and monthly checks of transport program equipment and communicates with Biomedical Engineering to assure equipment is in safe and operating condition.
• Ensures routine restocking of transport supplies after each transport and maintains established supply inventory.
• Maintains competency by participating in WVU Medicine Children's Transport and Nursing Department activities
• Annually completes mandatory clinical and operational competencies as well as maintaining current required certifications established by the hospital and OB transports
• Participates in orientation of new transport crewmembers and acts as formal mentor for nurses and respiratory therapists.
• Attends and participates in required educational and operational meetings.
• Develops and participates in continuing education activities.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Maximum weight of 220 pounds highly suggested for safety and agility in helicopter and ambulance environment. Quarterly weigh in required or as recommended by manager.
• Yearly Air Methods and Survival training as required by Healthnet.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.
• Heavy/Hard Work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 50+ lbs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 lbs. and will frequently lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Visual acuity corrected to 20/40 or better. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• No taking prescription(s) and/or over the counter medication, except as approved by Employee Health or Occupational Medicine.
• No medical condition likely to be aggravated by transport duties or that may endanger patients or other transport personnel. An exam by an independent physician will be required, if necessary.
• Hearing (aid permitted) Must be able to perceive a forced whisper at greater than 5 feet in at least one ear. 9. All transport team members will undergo regular Occupational Medicine evaluations and weigh ins as deemed appropriate per the Company. Evaluations may be done on an ad hoc basis due to any major changes to medical or mental health history and/or safety concerns.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Working closely with others.
• Working protracted or irregular hours.
• Working around biohazards.
• Working around infectious diseases.
• Working with or near the deceased.
• Working with hands in water.
• Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.
• Working in inclement weather conditions.
• Provide transport care to outlying hospitals via ambulance and helicopter.
• Working in life threatening conditions.

Skills and Abilities

Demonstrates sound interpersonal and professional verbal skills with other health care team members and the general public during the verbal interactions.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt

Company: WVUH West Virginia University