New Clinician Handbook

2018

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Tara Rose, RN
Sky Nurses
1/1/2018

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Contents

Welcome to Sky Nurses, an International Based Company ............................................................................................... 2
Who We Are: ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
What We Do: ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
Who We Employ .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Our Goal ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Step I: The Application .................................................................................................................................................... 4

Step III: Virtual Meet and Greet................................................................................................................................... 7
Step IV: Background Screening .................................................................................................................................... 7
Documents .................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Step V: Contractor Agreement..................................................................................................................................... 8
Step VI: Education ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Step VII: USERNAME and PASSWORD .........................................................................................................................10
Step VIII: Accounting ...................................................................................................................................................10

Direct Deposit .........................................................................................................................................................10
Professional Liability Insurance................................................................................................................................10
W-9 Form (US Residents).........................................................................................................................................10
W-8BEN (International Residents Only) ...................................................................................................................11
Step XI: Health and Fitness .............................................................................................................................................11
Repatriation (Travel) Insurance ...............................................................................................................................11
Health Questionnaire ..............................................................................................................................................11
Annual Physical .......................................................................................................................................................11
Yellow Fever Vaccine...............................................................................................................................................11
Travel Profile...........................................................................................................................................................11
Step X: Supplies..............................................................................................................................................................14
Supplies ......................................................................................................................................................................14
Badge..........................................................................................................................................................................14

pg. 1

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Welcome to Sky Nurses, an International Based Company

Who We Are:

Sky Nurses is a non-emergency medical transport company and the cost-effective alternative to an air ambulance service
for patients that are fit-to-fly on a commercial airline.

What We Do:

Sky Nurses provides bedside-to-bedside care when transporting a patient from one destination to another.

Bedside-to-Bedside Care
Sky Nurses is a full-service Medical Escort Company. We are a global company
traveling throughout the US and Abroad. We provide a medical escort service for
patients that are in need to be transported by commercial air and ground
transportation. We provide bedside to bedside care, from the time we pick up the
patient from departure location to arrival location. Patients may be picked-up
from a facility, home or other location.
Our Medical Escort trips can have a minimum of 1 day and last up to 4 days on a
single trip. Most of our travel runs through weekends, but we have some during
the week as well.

Who We Employ

All medical escorts employed or contracted by Sky Nurses will have 5+ year experience in the healthcare industry with a
strong desire for the clinician to be employed in a hospital setting.

Our Goal

Our goal is to be the best in the world at providing Commercial Medical Escorts. Our ongoing success depends on our
clinicians around the globe for they are the foundation, spirit, and future of Sky Nurses. As a global business, we offer
clinicians exciting and rewarding careers.
Sky Nurses is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a workplace environment that
encourages growth and respect for all current and prospective employees based upon job-related factors such as their
education, background, work experience, and ability to perform the essential functions of a particular job. It is the policy
and practice of this Company to prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, age, national
origin, religion sex, veteran status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other status protected under
applicable federal, state or local law. Support and belief in this principle is a basic responsibility of all Company employees.

pg. 2

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Introduction

Dear Clinician:
On behalf of everyone at Sky Nurses, LLC, I want to take this opportunity to tell you how excited we are that you have
elected to register with Sky Nurses. Each team member in our organization is considered an extension of our family and
we take great care in selecting each person that joins our family.
The information presented consists of the necessary steps to follow in order to have a successful registration. As a medical
escort, your judgment and attention to detail are critical. The application process below will provide you with the answers
to all or most questions regarding this process. Please take a moment to carefully read this information in its entirety prior
to registering with Sky Nurses.
Please take a moment to carefully read this information in its entirety prior to completing the application with Sky Nurses.
The completion of a step (process) will produce an email with the directions for completing the next step.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have additional questions or perhaps you are having difficulty with the
registration process.
Sincerely,
Sky Nurses Management Team

pg. 3

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Step I: The Application

The following must be completed during the application process:

• Application (completed on-line)
o Current or Most Recent Past Employer
▪ The initial application requires your most current employer or if you are not currently employed,
your most current past employer.

• Note: If an employee or independent contractor has worked (within the past 3 years)
or is still working for a medical escort company or an air ambulance company that does
medical escorts, he or she must list the name and address on the work history.
Disclosing this information will not eliminate you from any travel assignments offered
by Sky Nurses unless the clinician holds a non-compete with the company with whom
he/she has a relationship with. However, omitting this information from the application
will be cause for termination of employment or contract.

o Two (2) professional references
▪ Professional work-related references only - verification of skills by a past employer or supervisor
is required.

• Education
o The clinician must list where he/she has obtained his/her clinical education.

• License
o Professional License: clear copy of the front and back (if applicable) of the professional license in PDF
format. Active license free from disciplinary action.
▪ Verification: verification required with the state/country in which the clinician is residing in. If the
clinician has been licensed less than 3 years in the state/country in which he/she resides, he/she
must have a license on file from another state/country in order to verify clinical experience.
Verification must be from an accredited body and will be completed by the medical department.

• Disclosures - are questions pertaining to:
o Non-Compete - an acknowledgment that the clinician does not have a non-compete with another medical
escort company or an air ambulance company that participates in medical escorts. Sky Nurses does not
utilize non-competes.

An email will be sent to Start the Application and Upload Your Credentials. If you are having difficulty uploading your
credentials to the form, you may send your credentials to [email protected].

All documentation should be scanned and saved in a PDF format. Below are examples of how documents should be sent.

Driver's License (United States Driver’s License (European Union)

pg. 4

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning
Passport
All clinicians must have a valid passport with an expiration date greater than 1 year.

pg. 5

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning
Professional License
The professional license must be in the state in which you consider your permanent residence. The front and back (if there
is information) must be scanned and saved in PDF format.

BLS, ACLS and PALS Certification(s)
The American Heart Association is the preferred vendor for obtaining BLS, ACLS and PALS certifications. Front and back of
the certification (see example) must be provided. The card will not be accepted if only one side is copied.
ACCEPTABLE

pg. 6

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Step III: Virtual Meet and Greet

The HR Department will schedule a Meet and Greet through Zoho Connect or Vsee. An email will be sent by Human
Resources requesting your availability (3 dates), followed by an email from the interviewer.

How to Ace the Virtual Interview

Step IV: Background Screening

All Independent Contractors (clinicians) must undergo a criminal background screening as part of the vetting process.
Sky Nurses has signed a contract with PreCheck that allows us a reduced cost of. PreCheck has exclusively focused on
serving the healthcare industry since 1991. The cost of the background screening is $65.00.

• Widescreen Plus National Criminal Search
• National Sex Offender Registry
• Social Security Validation (U.S. Residents)

PreCheck is a member of the napbs (National Association of Professional Background Screeners).

In addition, Sky Nurses completes the following government verifications:
• Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
• Office of Inspector General (OIG)
• System for Award Management (SAM)
• License Verification (NURSYS)

Completing the Background Screening
Supported browsers are Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, FireFox, and Safari. Mobile devices are compatible, and both
Android and Apple devices are supported.

• Pay by debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
• Upon successful payment, you will be sent an authorization via email from PreCheck (Sky Nurses).
• Follow all instructions. If you make a mistake, click on the eraser icon and start over. This is a multi-step process

requiring you to move through several separate screens. Successful completion requires your signature and
submission of the final authorization form.
At the end of the online release process, you will have the option to view, save, and/or print the following documents:
1. Your completed and signed Applicant/Employee Information form
2. Your Disclosure Form
3. Your completed and signed Authorization form
4. Any additional disclosures that you selected
5. A Summary of Your Rights Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act

pg. 7

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Documents

In order to complete the background screening, a government issued identification (i.e. driver’s license) and social security
card (U.S. Residents) must be provided. If you do not have a copy of your social security card, you may provide your
passport.

Step V: Contractor Agreement

The Independent Contractor Agreement will be sent to the clinician upon completion of the background screening. This
contract will be sent through Adobe Signature. The clinician will be able to digitally sign the contract. Upon signing by both
parties, a copy of the signed contract will be sent to the clinician.

Step VI: Education

The Medical Escort Course is an 8-hour course offered through the Medical Escort Association at a discounted rate and is
designed to assist the clinician in developing a safe practice while escorting a patient on a commercial airline. This is a
mandatory requirement for all Independent Contractors.

You will be required to create an account during the registration process. When registering for this course, you must select
Sky Nurses 'Standards of Care' ($59.00). Do not select Medical Escort Course ($99.00).

Sky Nurses 'Standards of Care'

Introduction Overview

Introduction The Course

Chapter 1 Corporate Compliance

Chapter 2 Code of Conduct and Business Ethics

Chapter 3 Risk Management

Chapter 4 Quality Assurance and Improvement

Chapter 5 Customer Satisfaction in Healthcare

Chapter 6 Medical Escort

Chapter 7 Standards of Practice

Chapter 8 Airline Clearance for Medical Escorts

pg. 8

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Chapter 9 Health and Fitness
Chapter 10 Infection Control
Chapter 11 Safety Abroad
Chapter 12 Communication and Patient Privacy
Chapter 13 Cultural Diversity
Chapter 14 Introduction to Altitude Physiology and Stressors of Flight
Chapter 15 Epidemiology, Stressors of Flight
Chapter 16 Physics of the Atmosphere
Chapter 17 Decompression and Hypoxia
Chapter 18 The Commercial Airline
Chapter 19 Patient Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 20 Neurological Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 21 ENT Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 22 Respiratory Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 23 Cardiovascular Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 24 Gastrointestinal Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 25 Endocrine Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 26 Urinary Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 27 Integumentary Assessment and Disorders

pg. 9

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Chapter 28 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 29 Psychological Assessment and Disorders
Chapter 30 Sky-Med Portal
Final Final Exam

Step VII: USERNAME and PASSWORD

Upon completion of the Medical Escort course, an email will be sent to create a USERNAME and PASSWORD for the Sky-
Med Portal.

Step VIII: Accounting

Direct Deposit

All clinicians must have on file a Direct Deposit Form. The clinician may elect to receive a paper check. This must be noted
on the direct deposit form. A Direct Deposit form will be sent from Adobe Signature.

Professional Liability Insurance

Proof of Professional Liability Insurance must be provided to Sky Nurses before a clinician can be assigned to a medical
escort. The professional liability coverage must be at least $1,000,000.00 / $3,000,000.00 Aggregate.

W-9 Form (US Residents)

All US clinicians must have a w-9 Form on file before his /her first payment can be made. A W-9 Form will be sent from
Adobe Signature. DO NOT download and send.

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

It is recommended that all United States based clinicians apply for an EIN as a Sole Proprietor.

• A sole proprietorship is a business that has one owner and is not incorporated or registered with the state as a
limited liability company (LLC). A sole proprietor can be a self-employed individual or an independent contractor.
Sole proprietors (self-employed individuals) report all business income and expenses on their individual tax
returns (Form 1040, U.S. Individual Tax Return, Schedule C, E, or F). A sole proprietor may or may not have
employees.

The applicant will be required to select one reason that best describes why you are applying for an EIN. It is recommended
that you select 'START A NEW BUSINESS.' A sole proprietorship allows certain tax deductions that may not be allowed
otherwise. Sky Nurses recommends that you consult your accountant.

pg. 10

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

W-8BEN (International Residents Only)

The W-8BEN must be received in our office before any payment can be made to a clinician that resides outside the United
States. A W-8BEN Form will be sent from Adobe Signature. DO NOT download and send.

Step XI: Health and Fitness

Repatriation (Travel) Insurance

Proof of Repatriation (Travel) Insurance must be provided to Sky Nurses before a clinician can be assigned to a medical
escort. Sky Nurses is preparing to negotiate with specific travel insurance companies whereby you can purchase directly
with Sky Nurses' Travel Operations.

Health Questionnaire

This questionnaire is for your protection only. It is not used to disqualify you from working at Sky Nurses. Our goal is to
ensure your safety during a medical escort. Click here to complete the Health Questionnaire.

Annual Physical

All clinicians must have an annual physical on file per airline regulations and to maintain compliance with CAMTS. The
clinician must carry a copy of his/her annual physical during a medical escort. Customs may ask the clinician for this when
entering a country. Failure to provide this may be a cause for denial into that country. A physical form is provided in the
Documents folder.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

Yellow fever vaccine is a vaccine that protects against yellow fever. Yellow fever is a viral infection that occurs in Africa
and South America. About 99% of people develop immunity within one month of vaccination and this appears to be
lifelong. The vaccine can be used to control outbreaks of disease.
Countries that require a vaccine to enter will ask to show proof of the vaccine upon entering customs. You can be denied
entry into that country if you do not have the vaccine or you cannot show proof that you had the vaccine.

Travel Profile

Traveler Profile Information is to provide information to the travel department. This information will be entered into the
Sabre System (travel platform).

All medical escorts must complete a Traveler Profile Information. You will be asked to supply your frequent flyer miles.
All clinicians should have the following frequent flyer miles:

• Delta Airlines
• American Airlines
• United Airlines (Star Alliance)

pg. 11

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

It should be noted that Sky Nurses may not book the flights for certain clients. If the flights are booked outside of Sky
Nurses, please add your frequent flyer number when checking in at the airport.

Star Alliance

Star Alliance was the first major airline alliance and remains the biggest today. Operations began in 1997 when five
airlines - Thai Airways International, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavia Airlines and United Airways - joined forces to
provide more expansive and efficient air travel. At the time, the alliance stated its intention to "take passengers to every
major city on earth," and they have made significant strides towards this end in the years since. Membership has
expanded to 27 airlines, with Copa Airlines bring coverage of South America, Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand doing
the same for Oceania, and Ethiopian and South African Airlines stitching in Africa. Recently, the alliance has lured huge
providers of the future, such as Air China and Air India, into its embrace. At the time of writing, its members launch over
20,000 flights daily and encompass 1316 destination airports in 192 countries, knitting together the globe in spectacular
fashion.

All 27 airlines in Star Alliance:

• Adria Airways, Slovenia
• Aegean Airlines, Greece
• Air Canada
• Air China
• Air India
• Air New Zealand
• All Nippon Airways, Japan
• Asiana Airlines, South Korea
• Austrian Airlines
• Avianca, Colombia
• Brussels Airlines, Belgium
• Copa Airlines, Panama
• Croatia Airlines
• EgyptAir
• Ethiopian Airlines
• EVA Air, Taiwan
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa, Germany
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines, China
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• Swiss International Airlines
• TAP Portugal
• Thai Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines, United States

pg. 12

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

Oneworld

Oneworld was the second of the three major alliances to be born, launched two years after its rival Star Alliance. The
founding members were all long-established, well-respected airlines such as British Airways, American Airlines, and
Qantas, who were soon joined by two more highly regarded European carriers, Finnair and Iberia. LanChile then came
on board to provide coverage of Latin America, followed by Royal Jordanian in 2005, the first Middle Eastern carrier to
join any alliance. Notable recruits since then have included Japan Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, ensuring the alliance
offers extensive coverage of Asia. Oneworld aims to forge relationships with "frequent international travelers,"
particularly from the corporate and business world, a goal reflected in its HQ location on Park Avenue, NY. It serves just
under 1000 destination airports in over 150 countries – substantially fewer than either of its rivals, but carefully targeted
to appeal to its business clientele.

All 15 airlines in Oneworld:

• Air Berlin, Germany
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong
• Finnair, Finland
• Iberia, Spain
• Japan Airlines
• LAN Airlines, Chile
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qantas, Australia
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Jordanian
• S7 Airlines, Russia
• SriLankan Airlines
• TAM Airlines, Brazil

Sky Team

SkyTeam is the youngest of the three major airline alliances, founded in 2000 by four airlines that together provided
strategically broad coverage of the world's air travel hotspots: Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Airlines and Korean Air.
But the alliance has grown rapidly since its launch, overtaking Oneworld to encompass 20-member airlines traveling to
1,064 destination airports in 178 countries. Significantly diversified coverage has been brought to the alliance by such
carriers as China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Saudi Airlines and Kenya Airways. The depth of experience is provided by
KLM, the Dutch flag carrier which was founded in 1919 and is the oldest airline in the world still operating under its
original name. In total, SkyTeam has 564 lounges dotted around the globe, serving around 588 million annual
passengers.

All 20 airlines in SkyTeam:

• Aeroflot, Russia
• Aerolineas Argentinas
• Aeromexico
• Air Europa, Spain

pg. 13

Sky Nurses: In the Beginning

• Air France
• Alitalia, Italy
• China Airlines, Taiwan
• China Eastern Airlines, China
• China Southern Airlines, China
• Czech Airlines
• Delta Airlines, United States
• Garuda Indonesia
• Kenya Airways
• KLM, Netherlands
• Korean Air, South Korea
• Middle East Airlines, Lebanon
• Saudia, Saudi Arabia
• TAROM, Romania
• Vietnam Airlines
• Xiamen Airlines, China

Step X: Supplies

Supplies

Medical supplies (supplies, shirt, and badge) will be mailed in a box along with a list of items that you will need to purchase.
You will also need to purchase a medical bag with dimensions for a carry-on baggage on wheels.

Badge

A passport type photo (selfie) with a white background must be provided in order for a badge to be produced. No hats or
sunglasses are permitted.

pg. 14