Emergency Transport Program

Information for transport nurse applicants

Training requirements for CHOP emergency transport nurses

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia requires that every transport have a primary transport nurse on board. This nurse has completed an extensive orientation process in all of the following areas: neonatal intensive care, cardiac intensive care, pediatric intensive care, emergency care, airway management and advanced skills. The orientation may last up to six months depending on prior experience. In addition, our primary transport nurses must pass the state PHRN (prehospital registered nurse) certification and participate in ongoing education in altitude physiology, safety, trauma, disease processes, management. and other subjects.

Requirements for becoming a transport nurse

Most transport nurses have either a critical care or emergency care nursing background with a minimum of two to three years in their area of specialty (for example, pediatric or adult cardiac care, emergency, trauma, etc.).

A Pennsylvania nursing license and U.S. citizenship or a green card are required. The following must be achieved prior to completing orientation:

  1. Basic Life Support (BLS)
  2. Advanced Life Support (ALS)
  3. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  4. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Additional certification is recommended. For example:

Additional Resources

We recommend the following Web sites to learn more about ambulance, helicopter and fixed wing transport.

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