Experienced RN/Registered Nurse - Duke Life Flight - Code Team

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. Join Duke Life Flight, Duke Health's critical care and emergency air and ground transport team accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems. The team includes paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists, emergency medical technicians, and communications specialists who provide compassionate care and transport services to critically ill patients of all ages. Duke Life Flight also maintains a Code Blue Response Team and supports event medicine needs.

About the role

The Life Flight Code Team Nurse performs a variety of activities within their scope of practice, delivering high-quality emergency care as a rapid response team for ill or injured persons of all ages across designated areas of the Duke University Hospital (DUH) campus. This role utilizes an advanced life support (ALS) care delivery model to stabilize, resuscitate, or administer care within the scope of the ALS Emergency Nurse.

Experienced RNs may be eligible for a $15,000 Commitment Bonus (terms and conditions apply). This position is also eligible for relocation assistance (terms and conditions apply).

Responsibilities

• Obtain pertinent history and perform a physical examination based on comprehensive knowledge, advanced skills, and sound professional judgment.
• Obtain historical data from environmental surveys, attending medical personnel, patients, significant others, or existing documentation.
• Complete a systematic, rapid primary assessment and a prioritized secondary survey.
• Analyze and assess available diagnostic data; revise the plan of care as new information becomes available.
• Provide an emergency level of care with qualified personnel capable of initiating advanced skills to stabilize and resuscitate ill or injured adult and pediatric patient populations.
• Initiate appropriate, timely interventions per program protocols in a priority sequence.
• Utilize advanced skills prioritizing patient needs (e.g., needle decompression of tension pneumothoraces, intraosseous line insertion).
• Demonstrate proficient and competent use of advanced and basic life support equipment (e.g., noninvasive blood pressure monitor, pulse oximetry, EKG monitor/defibrillator, external pacemaker, portable suction, airway adjuncts).
• Communicate essential information to all appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Evaluate patient progress, analyze data, and modify the planning and implementation of care based on patient response throughout the transfer process.
• Maintain contact with and utilize Medical Control to deviate from established protocols.
• Provide comfort and optimal physiological and psychological support in a changing environment.
• Adapt patient care in response to changing environmental conditions (e.g., noise, precipitation, wind, heat, cold, humidity).
• Assess the immediate emotional status of the patient and anticipate changes needed in the plan of care.
• Provide patients and families with information regarding the transport process.
• Communicate between referring unit staff and receiving healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care.
• Obtain reports from referring unit personnel where applicable.
• Document patient assessment, re-assessment, and care provided in the electronic medical record system (Zoll - emsCHARTS).
• Utilize appropriate radio procedures to communicate during patient or team movement.
• Act as a liaison between patients, families, referring healthcare professionals, and DUHS staff.
• Plan, organize, and maintain equipment and supplies for use before, during, and after emergency response calls.
• Perform inventory of code team supplies/equipment every shift and restock after each call.
• Maintain equipment repair as needed.
• Provide and maintain a safe environment for team members, patients, assisting agencies, and ancillary personnel.
• Follow general DUH campus procedures, emergency codes, and announcements.
• Manage crowds, critical thinking, and decision-making proficiently.
• Prepare and load patients where applicable; ensure all persons and equipment are secured at all times.
• Stay proficient in the use of all Code Team emergency equipment (e.g., Stryker stretchers, LUCAS device, response packs, portable suction, monitor/defibrillator, glucometer, medications).

Requirements

• A minimum of two years of current Emergency Department nursing experience as a registered nurse (RN).
• Additional pre-hospital experience in a Paramedic or EMT role preferred.
• Physically fit to allow for functional movement in confined spaces encountered on the DUH campus when responding to emergency calls.
• Current certification in BLS, ACLS, and PALS.
• Successful completion of Code Team Response nurse orientation.
• Completion of CBO within one year of hire date.
• Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a diverse, autonomous environment.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher), Associate's Degree in Nursing, or Nursing Diploma program is required.
• All registered nurses without a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (or higher) will be required to enroll in an appropriate BSN program within two years of their start date and complete the program within five years.
• Current registration with the North Carolina State Board of Nursing as a registered professional nurse OR current compact RN licensure to practice in the state of North Carolina.
• BLS (or higher) certification required.
• Professional specialty certification preferred (e.g., NRP, ITLS, PHTLS, BTLS, TNCC, or TPATC).

Schedule

• Full Time: 3 – 12-hour shifts (36 hrs/week).
• Shifts: 6:45 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. or 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Location: Duke University Hospital