Temporary Flight Nurse
- Temporary
- BLS
- ACLS
- PALS
- NRP
- TNCC
- RN license
How this pay compares
This posting states $34.26 an hour. Open flight nurse jobs in California post a median of $75.32 an hour, the middle half $62.50–$95.73, across 10 jobs that state their pay, so this one is below the middle half of what they post. Flight nurses employed in California earn a median of $67.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, opens in a new tab).
Flight nurses in California: pay by town and employer
The Registered Nurses & LPNs job market: pay, applicant demand and hiring, researched nightly
About the job
Overview
In Thermal, you’ll deliver lifesaving care for the community you love and live in, soaring above California’s landscapes. With 3+ years of recent critical care you’ll fly in state-of-the-art helicopters - an ICU in the sky - providing advanced care while continuing your education with our support. Ready for a new adventure?
Responsibilities
Job Summary
Responsible for providing high-quality critical care, including assessment, triage, and treatment utilizing standards and guidelines established by Air Methods Community Base Services (CBS) Medical Director(s). You’ll assess the nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize the care needed for the safe transport of the critical patient to the appropriate facility and are responsible for carrying out the mission and goals of Air Methods CBS, assuring that safety remains the highest priority throughout the transport continuum.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Provides nursing care within his/her scope of practice from the initial contact until patient care is relinquished to the accepting medical facility; maintains thorough patient care documentation .
- Maintains competency in knowledge and psychomotor skills by participating in ongoing laboratory and clinical experiences. Communicates educational needs to the Medical Base Supervisor and Medical Education Coordinator. Maintains documentation of required licensure, certifications, continuing education, aviation and safety training, OSHA and HIPAA training, clinical rotations, and advanced procedures and attends continuing education programs pertinent to his/her area of practice.
- Demonstrates proficiency in using and maintaining all equipment and supplies used by Air Methods CBS. Reports medical equipment failures and takes initial steps to ensure equipment repair as directed. Maintains adequate supplies onboard aircraft to deliver patient care, and keeps aircraft clean and orderly to ensure rapid response to all transport requests.
- Functions as a medical flight member by attending pre-mission briefings and mission debriefings and completing necessary documentation . Assists in pre-mission liftoff checklist and assists pilot as requested with radio, navigational, and visual observation activities. Complies with safety standards and conducts aircraft safety briefings as needed to assure the safety of self, medical personnel, patients, and equipment.
- Serves as a flight resource to neonatal/pediatric personnel when transporting specialty patients by helicopter and performs advanced skills and procedures as approved by Air Methods CBS Medical Director(s).
- Participates in patient and referring institution follow-up and in planned outreach marketing and education activities
- Acts as a preceptor and/or participates in orientation of new employees and students as assigned and communicates program goals and objectives .
- Participates regularly in Air Methods CBS meetings, activities, projects, and committees (to include research and publishing opportunities).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Additional Job Requirements
- Maintains regularly scheduled attendance
- Employees in this position spend approximately 5% of their time traveling.
•Subject to applicable laws and Air Method’s policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position. All employees must follow Air Methods’ employment practices and policies.
Supervisory Responsibilities
•This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skill, and/or ability. In accordance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the position's essential functions.
Education & Experience
- Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing
- Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field preferred but not required
- Minimum three (3) years of recent critical care/emergency nursing experience within the last five years or as required by state/ local EMS regulations
- Pre-hospital experience preferred
- Flight experience is not required but is a plus!
Operation and Safety Requirements
- As a member of the Clinical Flight Crew, any person employed in this position shall maintain a weight not to exceed 225 pounds, including an empty flight suit and boots.
Skills
- Skills as required to practice nursing as defined by assigned state scope of practice and advanced practice skills as defined by Medical Director(s) and Medical Standards
- Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals, and the public while executing strong interpersonal skills and a high degree of collaboration at all levels
- Demonstrates high critical thinking and reasoning skills and strong attention to detail while working in a fast-paced environment that requires the ability to prioritize and multi-task
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including overtime and 24/7 on-call rotation
- Dependable and self-motivated while working in a frequently changing environment
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
Computer Skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Current RN license(s) for states of practice
- EMS or MICN certification/licensure as required by state regulations
- Current certifications in Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR; ACLS; PALS or equivalent (AHA, ARC, or ASHI only courses if state or county required) and TPATC/TNCC/ITLS/PHTLS advanced provider (if state or county required)
- • If you do not have a current trauma certification, Air Methods will provide the TPATC online course to be completed prior to new hire orientation
Other certification requirements
- Specialty certification (CFRN or CEN) are required within 24 months of hire
- Advanced Trauma Course requirement: One (1) of the following certifications are acceptable: TPATC, TNCC, ATCN, TNATC, or CAMTS-approved advanced trauma course before completion of third-rider training
- NRP certification before completion of the third-rider orientation
- NIMS Training IS 100, 200, 700, 800, and HazMat before completion of third-rider training
Benefits
Air Methods is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package created with the diverse needs of our teammates in mind:
- Health, Dental and Vision
- Competitive 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Account Benefit Plans
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Full Company-Paid Life Insurance
- AD&D Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Business Travel Accident Insurance
- Voluntary Legal
- Relocation Assistance
- Employee Assistance and Benefit Concierge Service Programs
Minimum pay
USD $34.26/Hr.
Maximum Pay
USD $41.88/Hr.
Benefits
For more information on our industry-leading benefits, please visit our benefits page here.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
From Air Methods's job posting, checked Oct 29, 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Air Methods
Air Methods hires EMTs and paramedics, nurses and front-office staff in 35 states.
Hires in 35 statesPay on its listings: 72.3% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
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