Registered Nurse Transport

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Night (United States of America)Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

General Summary:

The Transport Nurse is an experienced, professional nurse who is responsible for the stabilization and organized
transport of critically ill patients for Lurie Children’s. As an extension of this responsibility, the
Transport Nurse triages and facilitates requests for patient transfer from referring hospitals.

The Transport Nurse is responsible for the development of educational programs. Customer service, communication and public relations are key aspects of this position.

The position actively supports the Hospital's and department's Continuous Quality Improvement and customer
service goals through modeling of appropriate behavior and by providing a work environment conducive to attaining these goals.

Essential Job Functions:

Nursing Process:

• Obtains and records a realistic assessment of the patient's health status through interview, physical exam, records, reports, and consultations, which is accurate and comprehensive.

• Triages request for transport/transfer. Facilitates admitting medical service, bed placement and determines the appropriate mode of transport (ALS/BLS/Transport Team). Works collaboratively with the referring hospital to this end.

• Determines the team composition, equipment needed, and the mode of transportation for safe and expedient transport based on protocol and the immediate/potential physical condition of the patient.

• Formulates a plan of care related to identified patient problems and prioritizes appropriate stabilization measures based upon patient assessment and protocol. Recommends appropriate stabilization measures for referring facility to initiate.  Plan includes planning for potential emergency situations and addresses the desired outcomes of transport.

• Implements nursing interventions and protocol measures consistent with the plan of care to include participation and education of the patient and family as well as the referring healthcare team as appropriate.

• Evaluates the patient's progress through continuous observation and assessment of responses to interventions, treatments, and therapies.

• Revises the plan of care according to changes in patient needs.

• Accurately documents assessment, actions taken, and the patient's response to illness, intervention, transport and teaching.

• Other job functions as assigned.

Provide staffing in the Transport Communication Center:

• Assures professional and clear communication and exchange of clinical information with referring hospitals, transfer authorizing physicians, and medical control.  Assures that all communication meets clinical and service standards and reflects best practices.

• Participates in continuous quality and process improvement endeavors related to the communication center functioning.

• Provides direction to team members in the performance of job responsibilities and delegates appropriately.  Identifies and evaluates progress toward yearly goals for self as they related to Hospital goals.

• Triages and obtains an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the health status of the patient to be transported.  Documents pertinent data including physical exam, lab and imaging results.  Enters data into Transport Team log and compiles statistics as requested.

• Collaborates with the Transfer Authorizing Physician (TAP) to determine admitting service, and with the Patient Access Center (PAC) to secure bed placement.

• Determines the appropriate mode of transport in collaboration with the transport team members and TAP and dispatches Transport Team as appropriate.  Collaborates with transport team members to determine the team composition, equipment needed, weather conditions and the mode of transportation for safe and expedient transport based on protocol and the stability of the patient.

• Recommends appropriate medical interventions for the stabilization of critically ill patients to the referring facility based on transport team protocols, including anticipation of potential patient deterioration and emergency situations.

• Works collaboratively with the referring and receiving facilities and physicians throughout the entire process ensuring and facilitating a continuous line of open communication until the patient arrives at destination.

• Demonstrates awareness of legal issues associated with the transport process and strives to anticipate and appropriately manage risks.

• Communicates with physician, nursing staff, other hospital personnel and ground/air transport services regarding patient condition and status of the transport.

• Collaborates with Case Management and Resource Transport Team regarding inpatient transports to and from other institutions, mode of transport and team composition.

• Maintains transport equipment and instrumentation in good working order and in a constant state of readiness.  Evaluates new equipment and provides input for budget purposes.

• Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers, and others.

• Other job functions as assigned.

Safety:

• Maintains transport equipment and instrumentation in good working order and a constant state of readiness.

• Correctly utilizes the appropriate equipment as indicated by the patient assessment and plan of care.

• Evaluates new equipment and provides input into the budget.

• Establishes and maintains a safe and therapeutic environment in which to provide optimum care and transport.

• Demonstrates awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and transport.

• Strives to anticipate and appropriately manage risks.

Knowledge base/technical skills:

• Demonstrates base knowledge and use of nursing standards and transport protocols in the care and decision making for transported patients.

• Demonstrates competency in expanded role skills of transport nursing as well as comprehensive critical care nursing skills.

• Performs effectively in emergency situations following protocols, informing appropriate persons, and documenting events.

Customer Service:

• Communicates patient's condition and need for transport with the parent(s).

• Utilizes a family centered approach when interacting with family.

• Actively protects patient's rights as identified by policy.

• Understands customer service as it relates to all healthcare professional interactions.

• Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers, and others.

Leadership:

• Collaborates and communicates plan of care with other team members, referring hospital staff, and Lurie Children’s staff.

• Role models communication standards.

• Demonstrates teambuilding skills.

• Strives for collegial working relationships.

• Mentors team members.

• Assists others in the development of critical thinking skills.

• Professionally directs other team members and delegates appropriately.

• Provides education, formally and informally, to patients, family members and members of the healthcare team.

Professional Development:

• Identifies and evaluates progress toward yearly goals for self as they related to Hospital goals.

• Seeks opportunities to develop as a professional and transport nurse including conference attendance, skills lab, OR experience , annual team education, and team committee participation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Current licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Illinois. BSN preferred.

• Three years of pediatric or neonatal critical care required (Pediatric Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, or Emergency Department).  Equivalent experience may be considered.

• Demonstrates leadership qualities and capacity for independent judgment and action as evident in performance appraisals.

• Demonstrates ability to educate and effectively communicate with patients/families, physicians, and hospital staff.

• Basic Life Support Certification required. PALS/NRP/ACLS/TNCC preferred and will be required in the first year. Transport Nurses are required to obtain C-NPT within two years of hire.

• Capable of performing MEDIUM WORK. Must be able to carry 40 pounds at a time, with frequent

• lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds. Requires good overall physical health and body agility to enter/exit ambulance, helicopter, and fixed wing aircraft. Frequently required to lift; push; pull equipment and patients.

Working Conditions:

• Reasonable likelihood of regular occupational exposure to pathogens during the performance of assigned duties.

• Subject to hazards of flammable and explosive gases.

• Frequent exposure to hazards of riding in ambulance in congested traffic under various weather conditions. 

• Frequent exposure to hazards of flying in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. 

• Potential exposure to environmental hazards such as: extreme temperature changes, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, and noise pollution.

• Requires no smoking during scheduled shifts.

• Must be able to work flexible shifts. Reasonable likelihood of working beyond scheduled end of shift due to completion of a transport.

General Understanding and Nature of the Position Description

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job classification.  These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.

Education

Pay Range

$40.00-$66.00 Hourly

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability

• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage

• Tuition assistance

• Student loan servicing and support

• Adoption benefits

• Backup Childcare and Eldercare

• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members

• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities

• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Lurie Children’s, we embrace and celebrate building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that different life experiences strengthen our workplace and the care we provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Support email: [email protected]