The entire Life Flight team at Iowa Health - Des Moines recently earned national certification in their discipline. The nurses of the team have successfully completed the examination for national certification in flight registered nursing, administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).

Certification as a Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) is a nationally recognized credential that represents the team's commitment to excellence in the profession of flight nursing, and to providing the highest quality of care to patients. Completing the volunteer certification process is a symbol of Iowa Health - Des Moines' flight nurses' dedication to their profession and patients.

The paramedics of the entire Iowa Health - Des Moines Life Flight team are also nationally certified. They are all Flight Paramedic-Certified (FP-C) by the Board for Critical Care Transport Certification (BCCTPC). In addition, Michael Zweigart, Life Flight supervisor, has completed his first year of a two year program to be a Certified Medical Transport Executive.

"I am very proud of the dedication and commitment of our team," said Jim Miara, Director of Emergency Transport Services at Iowa Health - Des Moines. "Flight nurses and paramedics incorporate a defined body of knowledge and require extensive knowledge and highly specialized skills."

Flight nurses and paramedics also require the ability to care for patients with a wide variety of ages, illnesses and injuries. The certification exam evaluates knowledge and ability in areas such as patient management; professional issues in flight nursing; safety issues; and cardiopulmonary, neurological, multi-system and obstetrical emergencies.

Members of the Life Flight team that are certified and their certification:

Certification as a Flight Registered Nurse:
Michael Zweigart
Brian Dotts
Kathy Dehnert
Karen Jones
Katy Hill

Certification for Emergency Nursing:
Scott Perkins
Tina Baysinger (Dudley)

Flight Paramedic-Certified:
Rick Kallemeier
Ben Schloss
Lynnette Estrem

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