Air Ambulance Physician Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the fast-paced world of emergency medical services, the role of air ambulance physicians has never been more critical.

As the medical field continues to advance, there is a growing demand for skilled physicians who can deliver high-quality care in the unique environment of an air ambulance.

But let’s dig deeper: What is really expected of an air ambulance physician?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the intricacies of this role,
• A hiring manager trying to define the perfect candidate,
• Or simply fascinated by the complex world of air medical services,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we present a customizable air ambulance physician job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right into it.

Air Ambulance Physician Duties and Responsibilities

Air Ambulance Physicians are specialized doctors who provide immediate emergency medical services and care for patients during air transport.

They are an essential part of the medical flight crew and ensure the safety and health of patients during air transfer.

Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Assessing the patient’s health condition and determining the appropriate medical procedures to be performed during transport
• Administering emergency medical care in-flight, including advanced cardiac life support, trauma care, and other intensive care treatments
• Using specialized equipment and medical devices, such as defibrillators, ventilators, and intravenous drug administration equipment
• Communicating effectively with the ground medical team to ensure seamless transition of patient care
• Stabilizing patients and monitoring vital signs throughout the flight
• Coordinating with the air ambulance team, including pilots and paramedics, to ensure patient safety during transport
• Documenting all medical care and treatments provided during the flight for medical records
• Keeping up-to-date on medical research, new treatment techniques and advancements in the field of flight medicine

 

Air Ambulance Physician Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are looking for a highly trained, dedicated and compassionate Air Ambulance Physician to join our team.

The Air Ambulance Physician will provide critical care to patients during medical evacuations, ensuring the safe transportation and transition of patients from one healthcare facility to another.

The successful candidate should have a comprehensive understanding of emergency care and life-support techniques, including advanced cardiac and trauma life support.

They should also be adept at making quick decisions under pressure, as well as coordinating with other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless patient care.

 

Responsibilities

• Provide critical care to patients during medical air evacuations.
• Perform advanced life support techniques such as intubation, defibrillation, and administering medication in-flight.
• Coordinate with receiving medical facilities to ensure appropriate patient hand-off.
• Work closely with flight nurses and paramedics to ensure the highest level of care is provided.
• Document patient care and treatment plans thoroughly and accurately.
• Stay abreast of latest medical advancements and technologies in emergency and critical care medicine.
• Ensure all medical equipment onboard the air ambulance is maintained, functional and stocked.
• Participate in regular training and drills.

 

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from an accredited institution.
• Current licensure to practice medicine in the state.
• Board certified in Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, or similar specialty.
• Experience working in critical care or emergency medicine.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Ability to perform under pressure and make quick decisions in critical situations.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Air Ambulance Physician
• Work Environment: This position involves working in a high-stress environment, dealing with critical patients during flights. Frequent travel is required.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Medical Director.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $220,000 minimum to $320,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does an Air Ambulance Physician Do?

Air Ambulance Physicians are specialized doctors who provide emergency care and medical support during air transfers of critically ill or injured patients.

They are an integral part of the medical air evacuation team, which typically includes paramedics, nurses, and pilots.

They are responsible for conducting an initial patient assessment, identifying life-threatening situations, and implementing appropriate medical procedures to stabilize the patient during flight.

This may involve providing advanced life support, performing emergency surgeries, or administering necessary medications.

Air Ambulance Physicians also liaise with ground medical teams during the handover of patients to ensure seamless medical care.

They update the receiving hospital about the patient’s condition, treatments given, and further medical requirements.

Their role also includes documenting medical care and interventions provided during the flight for future reference and maintaining the inventory of medical supplies in the aircraft.

Given the nature of their job, Air Ambulance Physicians need to be knowledgeable in critical care, trauma care, and emergency medicine, and they must be able to perform under high-stress and confined conditions.

 

Air Ambulance Physician Qualifications and Skills

Air Ambulance Physicians should possess a variety of technical skills, medical knowledge, and personal attributes to effectively carry out their role, including:

• Medical expertise and experience to provide immediate care and treatment during emergency medical situations, including advanced knowledge in trauma and critical care medicine.
• Strong decision-making skills to make quick and effective medical decisions under high-pressure situations.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to interact with patients, family members, and the medical team, explaining procedures and providing reassurance in stressful situations.
• Ability to work well in physically challenging and changing environments, often dealing with turbulence and noise in the aircraft.
• Dexterity and physical stamina to perform medical procedures in a confined space and during flight.
• Leadership skills to direct and coordinate the medical team during emergencies and patient transfers.
• Detail-oriented nature to accurately document patient status, treatment provided, and patient response.
• Adaptability to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as emergency services operate 24/7.

 

Air Ambulance Physician Experience Requirements

Air Ambulance Physicians are generally required to have a significant amount of medical experience before stepping into this role.

The initial step involves completing medical school and obtaining a medical license, typically followed by a residency program in emergency medicine, anesthesia, or critical care.

Entry-level candidates typically have at least 3 to 5 years of experience working in a hospital or clinical setting, preferably in the emergency department or intensive care unit.

This provides them with the necessary exposure to critical and emergency cases, which are common scenarios in air ambulance services.

Those with 5 to 10 years of experience usually have further specialization in areas like trauma or pediatric care, and they are often board-certified in their specialty.

Physicians with more than 10 years of experience may have leadership roles in their background such as managing a team of paramedics or nurses, or overseeing a department.

These physicians are likely ready for senior roles within an air ambulance service, such as Medical Director.

Additionally, some air ambulance services may require physicians to have prior flight experience or training, as the role requires managing patient care in flight, and coping with the unique challenges of providing medical services in an airborne environment.

 

Air Ambulance Physician Education and Training Requirements

To become an Air Ambulance Physician, an individual must first obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, which typically involves four years of pre-medical study at the undergraduate level and four years of medical school.

After completing medical school, the individual must complete a residency program, which typically lasts three to seven years depending on the specialty.

As air ambulance physicians often deal with emergency situations, they are usually required to specialize in emergency medicine, critical care, or related fields.

Following the residency, they may need to complete a fellowship in a specialty like emergency medical services or critical care.

This can add an additional one to three years of training.

To work on an air ambulance, a physician also needs to obtain a certification in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

In addition to these qualifications, air ambulance physicians need to be physically fit and may need to obtain a class II medical certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure they are capable of functioning in a high-stress, rapidly changing environment.

Lastly, they need to be licensed to practice medicine in the state they are working in.

This involves passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

Continuing education is also crucial for air ambulance physicians to keep up-to-date with the latest medical advancements and emergency response techniques.

This can be done through professional development courses and workshops.

Optional certifications, such as board certification in Emergency Medical Services, can further demonstrate an air ambulance physician’s expertise and commitment to the field.

 

Air Ambulance Physician Salary Expectations

An Air Ambulance Physician can expect an average salary of $282,000 (USD) per year.

However, the actual compensation may fluctuate based on factors such as the physician’s level of experience, their specific medical specialty, and the region in which they practice.

 

Air Ambulance Physician Job Description FAQs

What qualifications are required for an Air Ambulance Physician?

Air Ambulance Physicians require a medical degree from an accredited institution and must be licensed to practice medicine.

They should have completed a residency program and are often board-certified in emergency medicine, critical care, or a related field.

Additionally, they may need specific training in aeromedical transport and evacuation.

 

What skills does an Air Ambulance Physician need?

Air Ambulance Physicians need strong critical thinking skills to quickly assess and treat patients in emergency situations.

They should have excellent knowledge of emergency and intensive care medicine.

As they work in confined spaces, they should be able to perform under pressure and in stressful situations.

Good communication skills are also essential to coordinate with the air ambulance team and ground medical staff.

 

What are the daily duties of an Air Ambulance Physician?

On a typical day, an Air Ambulance Physician may be called for emergency patient transport.

They are responsible for assessing the patient’s condition, administering appropriate treatment in-flight, and coordinating with the receiving hospital for the patient’s care.

In between missions, they may be involved in quality improvement activities, training, and maintaining their medical skills and knowledge.

 

What qualities make a good Air Ambulance Physician?

A good Air Ambulance Physician should be calm under pressure, with the ability to make quick, accurate decisions in emergency situations.

They should have excellent manual dexterity and physical stamina, as they might need to perform medical procedures in challenging conditions.

Excellent teamwork skills are crucial, as they will need to work closely with other medical staff and flight crew.

 

How challenging is it to hire an Air Ambulance Physician?

Hiring an Air Ambulance Physician can be challenging due to the specific qualifications and skills required.

It is not only necessary for the candidate to be a licensed physician with emergency medicine experience, but they also need to be comfortable working in an aircraft environment.

This combination of skills and experience can be hard to find, making the recruitment process potentially difficult.

 

Conclusion

And there we have it.

We’ve just unveiled the real essence of being an air ambulance physician.

Surprising, isn’t it?

It’s not just about providing immediate medical assistance.

It’s about saving lives in the most challenging environments, one patient at a time.

With our comprehensive air ambulance physician job description template and practical examples, you’re ready to take off.

But why halt your flight there?

Soar higher with our job description generator. It’s your next destination for creating laser-accurate job listings or refining your CV to excellence.

Bear in mind:

Every medical intervention is a crucial piece of the healthcare puzzle.

Let’s save lives. Together.

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