Critical Care (CC) Flight Paramedic – LifeFlight, Humbolt/Paris TN ($10,000 Sign-On Bonus)

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. VUMC is a community where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. Vanderbilt Health fosters an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive, and uniqueness is celebrated.

About the Role

The CC Flight Paramedic provides advanced pre-hospital and inter-facility patient care from initial contact until care is relinquished to the accepting medical facility. This role maintains thorough patient care documentation, practices within the scope defined by Tennessee state regulations and program protocols, and demonstrates clinical knowledge and competency in psychomotor skills during transport. The Flight Paramedic acts as a clinical role model, participates in improvement activities, and communicates safety concerns and educational needs to the leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Plans and manages patient care according to LifeFlight and Vanderbilt Health standards, delivering safe, age-specific care within the scope of practice for Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
• Maintains clinical proficiency and competency per regulatory and accreditation compliance.
• Participates in improvement activities, problem-solving projects, and applies current research to evidence-based practice.
• Ensures accurate documentation that reflects care provided and meets LifeFlight standards.
• Communicates collaboratively to facilitate quality patient care and safe handoffs at accepting facilities.
• Demonstrates proficiency in advanced clinical skills, including but not limited to:
  • Chest tube insertion
  • Central line insertion
  • Surgical airways
  • Pericardiocentesis
  • Rapid sequence intubation
• Acts as a resource to resolve complex patient care situations.
• Delivers stellar customer service to both internal and external customers.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of recent experience as a paramedic.
• Minimum of 1 year of flight paramedic experience.
• Current Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C).
• Ability to obtain a paramedic license with Critical Care Endorsement valid in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama (paramedics with previous critical care transport experience may obtain the Tennessee Critical Care endorsement within 12 months of hire).
• Current certifications in:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
  • Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) with advanced skills lab and lecture components
• High School Diploma or GED (required).
• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License.
• Availability to work day and night shifts, 36 hours weekly.

Skills

• Medication Management (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery in practical applications, including systematic assessment of side effects and patient education.
• Assessing, Intervening & Stabilizing Patients (Intermediate): Capable of independent assessment, intervention, and stabilization without support.
• Airway Establishing (Intermediate): Proficient in advanced airway management techniques.
• Critical Thinking (Intermediate): Recognizes assumptions, evaluates empirical grounding, and responds to alternative viewpoints.
• Ventilator Management (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery in practical applications of ventilator management.

Benefits

This role offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include health, disability, retirement, and wellness offerings to enhance well-being and professional growth.

About the Department

Vanderbilt LifeFlight is a nationally recognized, comprehensive emergency medical services provider, offering air and ground ambulance transport, event medicine coverage, and emergency communications. LifeFlight’s air operations are conducted by Metro Aviation, while all medical staffing, patient care, and clinical services are provided by Vanderbilt Health. Ground ambulance and event medicine services are operated by Vanderbilt Health. LifeFlight crews have access to the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, Burn Center, and Children’s Hospital, all at Vanderbilt.