Critical Care Transport Nurse
Harris Health System is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; and the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine at the University of Houston.
Job Summary
The Critical Care Transport Registered Nurse (CCT RN) with Harris Health EMS is an experienced and proficient registered nurse whose expertise is validated through board certification and specialized training in critical care transport. The CCT RN provides advanced clinical care to high-acuity patients during interfacility and specialty care transports (SCT) and serves as a clinical leader and resource to the interdisciplinary EMS team.
In addition to delivering expert patient care, the CCT RN educates and precepts EMS peers, supports professional development, and fosters a culture of safety and excellence. The CCT RN also contributes to quality assurance and improvement by performing chart reviews, audits, and case evaluations. These activities help identify practice gaps, inform targeted education, and enhance peer performance and team outcomes. This role combines clinical excellence, education, certification support, and quality improvement to deliver safe, evidence-based specialty transport care in compliance with nursing regulations, EMS accreditation standards, and organizational policies.
Minimum Qualifications
Degrees:
Bachelor of Nursing Degree
Licenses & Certifications:
a) Registered Nurse: State of Texas or valid multi-state/compact license
b) EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P): Texas Department of Health EMT-Paramedic License (preferred)
c) Basic Life Support (BLS): from American Heart Association (AHA) or Harris Health approved program.
d) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): from American Heart Association (AHA) or Harris Health approved program.
e) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) from American Heart Association (AHA) or Harris Health approved program.
f) Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC): Provider Course from Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
g) Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP): Or related specialty certification Preferred
h) At least two (2) nursing Double Board Certification from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nurses (BCEN) or American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN): Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN), Certified Pediatric Registered Nurse (CPRN), Certified Burn Registered Nurse (CBRN), Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN), Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) from the BCEN, or Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) from American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) or related nursing specialty upon hire and the other 1 within 18 months of hire preferred
i) NIH Stroke Scale Certification: Within 30 days of hire
Work Experience: Three (3) years of Emergency Center or ICU experience that includes 4000 critical care hours
Management Experience: One (1) Year of Clinical Leadership Experience (Meets 2 of 3 Clinical Leadership Requirements):
1. Charge Nurse
2. Critical Care Lead
3. Preceptor
4. Quality RN
5. QI Champion
6. Shared Governance Lead
Communication Skills:
Above Average Verbal Communication (Heavy Public Contact)
Writing/Correspondence
Writing/Reports
Proficiencies: MS Word, Personal Computer
Job Attributes
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Analytical Abilities, Mathematics, Medical Terminology Knowledge
Work Schedule: Flexible, Holidays, Weekends
Other Special Requirements:
- Simulation Scenarios: Successfully exhibits critical thinking with appropriate interventions under instructor supervision. Including but not limited to: code blue management, RSI, supraglottic adjunct, obtain EKGs, comprehensive critical thinking of stroke, STEMI, and multi system trauma patients.
- Annual Cadaver Lab must obtain 5 successful intubations with video laryngoscope, perform needle decompression, perform cricothyrotomy, insert intraosseous needle and identify important anatomical locations
- Annual Intubations: Complete 20 with an 85% success rate
- Specialty Care Transport Ride Outs: complete a minimum of 10 patient contacts
- Mandatory Education: Including but not limited to, Hamilton T1 Ventilator, Alaris infusion pump, intra-aortic balloon pump, chest tube monitoring, hemodynamic monitoring devices, LVAD, and any other education deemed appropriate by the EMS Medical Director
- Quarterly Education/Skills Assessment: Must participate in quarterly simulations and education classes as deemed by HHS EMS Medical Director
- Mandatory monthly meeting and committee meeting
- Protocol Test: Must pass with 85%
- EMS Medical Director validation required