How We Prepare Our CCT RNs for Success: An Inside Look at Royal Ambulance’s Critical Care Transport Training Approach

Training for Critical Care Transport Registered Nurses (CCT RNs) at Royal Ambulance is about more than skill and knowledge building—it’s about fostering a community of support, learning, and shared expertise while ensuring that our CCT RNs are the best-trained critical care transport nurses in the region. Our comprehensive CCT RN training model empowers nurses with the skills and confidence required to deliver exceptional critical care transport services in high-pressure situations.

Our CCT RNs transport and provide care to some of the region’s most complex cases, which makes intensive and specialized training essential for their growth as both clinicians and team members. Whether it’s interfacility transport or responding to emergency medical needs, our critical care transport nurses are trained to manage a wide variety of patient conditions with precision and care.

In a recent training session, our CCT RNs gathered to refine their critical care skills through hands-on practice, in-depth lectures, and real-life case scenarios. This ongoing training ensures our nurses are prepared for any situation, whether they’re managing high-risk cases or learning advanced techniques. From ventilator management to medication infusions, our training curriculum covers the full spectrum of critical care competencies to support nurse success in the field.

Chief Administrative Officer and RN JohnRey Hassan shares, “Training for our CCT Nurses is vital to ensure their clinical competence and capability to take care of the sickest patients in the region. Our CCT Nurses must be prepared to take care of the sickest adult and pediatric patients at any minute.”

Each RN completes at least 32 hours of advanced training annually, participating in quarterly education seminars and skills labs that reinforce their critical care knowledge and expand their procedural capabilities. These regular CCT RN education sessions help ensure alignment with evolving industry standards and reinforce a culture of excellence in patient transport care.

“Our CCT RNs complete a minimum of 32 hours of critical care transport-based education each year,” says Josini Machathil, CCT Manager. “This includes education seminars and skills labs that keep our team ready for the most complex cases.”

Royal’s CCT RNs operate under an expanded scope that includes comprehensive critical care protocols and standardized procedures. Even though each CCT RN comes to Royal with years of ICU or ED experience, our training ensures they can handle an even broader range of scenarios. This advanced-level training enables critical care nurses to adapt quickly to dynamic patient needs during interfacility transport and emergency situations.

A recent training session focused on high-risk obstetric (OB) transport—a skill that’s essential in our partnership with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. During this session, RNs also earned Neonatal Resuscitation certification and practiced OB-specific protocols, while sharing insights and experiences. “Given our partnership with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, high-risk pediatric and obstetric training is crucial,” says Machathil. “This specialized training and certification allow us to provide stellar care to those most in need.”

“Given our partnership with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, high-risk pediatric and obstetric training is crucial,” says Machathil. “This specialized training and certification allow us to provide stellar care to those most in need.”

Another essential part of our training approach is the integration of our highly skilled CCT EMTs with our CCT RNs during training sessions. This collaboration between EMTs and RNs not only enhances each individual’s clinical skills but also strengthens the team’s overall preparedness.

“By integrating our CCT EMTs into our CCT RN training, we foster a collaborative environment that enhances the skills and readiness of the entire team,” explains Machathil “Together, we’re building a foundation of expertise and teamwork that elevates patient care across every transport.”

With EMTs and RNs working closely together, our teams bring a depth of knowledge and adaptability to every case, ensuring seamless and coordinated patient care. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that both CCT EMTs and CCT RNs are aligned in their patient care protocols, improving efficiency and outcomes during transport operations.

Royal’s training program is also supported by our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program, where every high-risk case, including pediatric transports, is reviewed by clinical transport experts. This process enriches the training by offering real-time feedback, promoting continuous learning, and ensuring our team is always prepared. By embedding CQI practices into our CCT RN development program, we promote a culture of safety, accountability, and clinical excellence.

For experienced ER and ICU RNs seeking a place to grow clinically and professionally, Royal Ambulance offers a culture that values continuous skill development, teamwork, and the highest standards in patient care.

If you're passionate about critical care nursing and want to make a difference through transport medicine, Royal offers an unmatched opportunity to expand your impact.

Ready to take your clinical skills to the next level? Explore our open roles here: https://jobs.lever.co/royalambulance/a4387427-c6f5-4e57-a2b7-99fa06f8b60b