1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, during any period in which an air ambulance is used to provide medical transportation services for which a permit is required, the air ambulance must be staffed with, at a minimum:

(a) One primary attendant who:

(1) Is an emergency medical services registered nurse who has at least 3 years of critical care nursing experience;

(2) Has successfully completed an air ambulance attendant course which includes didactic and clinical components and is approved or in compliance with requirements set by the board; and

(3) Has demonstrated proficiency in basic prehospital skills and advance procedures as specified by the board; and

(b) One secondary attendant who meets the same qualifications as a primary attendant pursuant to paragraph (a) or:

(1) Is certified as a paramedic;

(2) Has at least 3 years of field experience as a paramedic;

(3) Has successfully completed an air ambulance attendant course which includes didactic and clinical components and is approved or in compliance with requirements set by the board; and

(4) Has demonstrated proficiency in basic prehospital skills and advance procedures as specified by the board.

2. If, as determined by the pilot and medical director of the air ambulance, the weight of the secondary attendant could compromise the performance of the air ambulance, safety or patient care, an air ambulance providing medical transportation services may be staffed with only a primary attendant as described in paragraph (a) of subsection 1.

3. The board may adopt regulations specifying the acceptable documentation of the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection 1.

4. The health authority may issue a letter of endorsement and identification card to an emergency medical services registered nurse or paramedic who satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection 1.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 1728)