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Assistant Chief Flight Nurse, Airlift Northwest
- University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
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Job Description
AIRLIFT NORTHWEST
Assistant Chief Flight Nurse
Responsible to: Chief Flight Nurse
The Assistant Chief Flight Nurse is a key leader in delivering exceptional air medical care throughout Airlift Northwest’s service area.
Reporting to the Chief Flight Nurse and working closely with Base Managers and frontline clinical staff, this role prioritizes a culture of
safety, team development, and patient-centered care. As Airlift Northwest expands its
clinical capabilities to meet patient needs, each Assistant Chief Flight Nurse contributes
specialized expertise to support the organization’s clinical and operational objectives,
advancing the mission of Airlift Northwest.
Primary Responsibilities:
Clinical Leadership and Team Development
• Assist in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training flight staff, ensuring clinical,
customer service and operational standards are met.
• Conduct regular staff evaluations, provide coaching, and oversee performance
improvement plans as necessary.
• Ensure all required certifications, licenses, and recurrent staff training are current and
maintained.
• Develop and implement quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI) standards to
enhance clinical care.
• Serve as a clinical education resource, providing instruction to ALNW staff.
• Monitor clinical performance by reviewing patient care reports and conferring with
physicians.
• Ensure 24/7 operational readiness and staffing levels.
• Work with base managers to schedule clinical rotations for all staff.
• Take part in and oversee various components of the Airlift Northwest quality plan.
• Serve in a leadership capacity on councils and committees, internal and external.
• Engage in staff recruitment and retention.
• Effectively share priorities, projects, initiatives, and updates with both the leadership team
and staff to cultivate team alignment.
• Provide clinical leadership in the area of specialization (e.g. Pediatrics, ECMO, Trauma,
etc.) as assigned by Chief Flight Nurse.
Operational and Strategic Management
• Collaborate with leadership to analyze operational trends and develop strategies to
enhance service delivery and align with organizational goals.
• Assist with budgeting, fiscal planning, and ensuring efficient allocation of resources for
clinical and operational needs.
• Oversee the supply chain for medical equipment and medications, ensuring proper
inventory management and fiscal responsibility.
• On a rotational basis, functions as the labor relations representative for Airlift Northwest,
which consists of bargaining, joint labor-management leader, and overall expert in the labor
relations contracts.
• Actively participate in contract negotiations and operational planning with external partners
and agencies.
• Develop policies, procedures, and practices to ensure continuous readiness for CAMTS.
Community Outreach and Relationship Building
• Foster relationships with partner agencies to support coordinated care and enhance
community partnerships.
• Represent ALNW in community organizations, EMS councils, and other committees that
influence air medical service delivery.
• Work with marketing and outreach teams to promote ALNW services and capabilities.
Leadership and Administrator on Call (AOC)
• Serve as the administrator on-call on a rotational basis, overseeing all ALNW operations,
including staffing, safety, patient care, resource allocation, media relations, and incident
response.
• Other management and leadership duties as assigned.
Flight Nurse Role
Perform flight nurse duties to ensure operational readiness and continuity of care.
Qualifications:
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing required.
• Master’s degree in Nursing, Health Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or a related (and approved) graduate degree required. A graduate degree may be in progress.
Certifications:
• Requires WA-MSL, AK, OR RN Licenses.
• Professional certifications: ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, CFRN, ATCN.
Experience:
• Minimum 5 years of air medical care experience (RN in an air medical services
environment).
• At least 1 year of leadership experience in air medical services, preferably with Airlift
Northwest (may overlap with air medical RN experience).
• 5+ years of critical care experience (may overlap with air medical experience).
Skills:
• Strong verbal and written communication and public relations abilities.
• Proven track record in conflict resolution, team building, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret operational and clinical data to inform decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with project management methodologies.
• Knowledge of air medical industry trends, policies, and operational best practices.
• Ability to adapt to technological advancements and evolving healthcare environments.
• Experience in labor relations and contract negotiations, including familiarity with collective bargaining agreements.
• Competence in supply chain management, ensuring efficient use of resources and
minimizing waste.
• Skilled in operational planning, resource allocation, and fostering innovation in service delivery.
ABOUT AIRLIFT NORTHWEST
Airlift Northwest is dedicated to providing safe, efficient and compassionate air medical transport for critically ill and injured infants, children and adults, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The region’s first air medical transport service, Airlift Northwest has flown more than 100,000 patients since its founding in 1982. Its helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are strategically located at eight bases throughout the Pacific Northwest and Southeast Alaska. On-board medical experts handle everything from advanced cardiac life support to neonatal resuscitation, all while flying patients to the best available care for their condition.
Challenge. Collaboration. Compassion. (https://www.uwmedicine.org/about/career-opportunities/harborview-medical-center)
ABOUT UW MEDICINE - WHERE YOUR IMPACT GOES FURTHER
UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.
All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.
Become part of our team (https://www.uwmedicine.org/jobs) . Join our mission to make life healthier for everyone in our community.
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum:
$91,764.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$178,680.00 annual
Other Compensation:
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Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
Not Applicable
About the UW
Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.
UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
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Assistant Chief Flight Nurse, Airlift Northwest
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