AMC and pilot qualifications

STARS is committed to providing world-class emergency medical care. Our talented paramedics, nurses, and pilots make this possible. Members of our operational crew must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below.

Air medical crew

Our Air Medical Crew consists of a critical care flight nurse, an advanced care paramedic, and a transport physician all trained to work in emergency/ICU/CCU and out of hospital environments. The team operates within an intensive care environment in the helicopter to provide emergency care to critically ill and injured patients.

A minimum of 48 hours per month as an air medical crew member (four shifts) as well as approximately 96 hours of continuing education per year is required to maintain competency. There are full time and part time opportunities available.

Our Air Medical Crews participate in community relations and externally focused education activities with our partners in the chain of survival.

Air Medical Crew: Flight Nurse and Flight Paramedic

  • Current certification with one or more of:
    • the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA)
    • the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS)
    • the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM)
    • the Alberta College of Paramedics (ACP)
    • the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics (SCOP)
    • the College of Paramedics of Manitoba (CPMB)
  • Five years of clinical experience in:
    • an Intensive Care Unit, Critical Care Unit or Emergency Room and/or
    • a high performance EMS service in the capacity of an Advanced Life Support Paramedic.
  • The following certificates or an equivalent would be considered an asset:
    • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
    • International Trauma Life Support (ITLS)
    • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
    • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
    • Transport Nurse Advance Trauma Care (TNATC)
    • Instructor status in the above certifications is an asset
  • Ability to perform the physical tasks required in an out of hospital medical/aviation environment
  • Experience in an air medical environment is an asset

Please note that these are minimum requirements. Some postings may require applicants to have additional experience or training than noted above.

Pilots

STARS crews are on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week. STARS pilots are full-time employees and work rotating schedules including both day and night shifts.

STARS is one of the few commercial aviation operators in Canada utilizing night vision goggle technology. Night vision goggles greatly increase the safety of our night operations and allow us to fly in mountainous terrain at night.

STARS Captains:

  • Possess a Canadian Helicopter Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL-H)
  • Possess a Group IV Instrument Rating
  • Require a minimum of 3,000 helicopter flying hours
  • Require 300 hours of night and IFR experience
  • Require 300 hours of multi engine helicopter experience
  • Require a minimum of 100 hours of STARS flight experience

STARS First Officers:

  • Possess a Canadian Commercial Helicopter Pilot License
  • Possess a Group IV Instrument Rating
  • Possess a Helicopter Night Rating
  • Require a minimum of 500 helicopter flying hours
  • Have passed either the HATRA or ATPL-H exams

Please note that these are minimum requirements. Some postings may require applicants to have additional experience or training than noted above.