Patient Transport Service Driver

Job Description:

Patient transport service drivers take patients to and from hospital for appointments.

Job Category:
Transport & Logistics

What you will do:

You’ll drive patients to and from their hospital appointments. Your day-to-day tasks could include:

  • helping patients out of their home and into the ambulance (it may involve lifting)
  • helping patients settle back home after their appointments
  • using a radio to keep in touch with the ambulance control room
  • checking and maintaining the ambulance and its equipment
  • keeping accurate records of journeys

You may deal with elderly people, people with a physical disability or mental health problem. You may also transport people who are seriously ill with specific medical needs.

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As well as:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • organisational skills
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others (teamwork)
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You’ll need to:

  • have a full, manual driving licence that covers the right vehicles for your local ambulance service
  • be an experienced driver
  • be able to read maps and know your area
  • pass enhanced background checks
  • have a good level of fitness

Some ambulance services may want you to have:

  • taken English, Maths and a Science at school
  • work experience with older people or people with disabilities

Working Hours and Environment:

You’ll usually work 37.5 hours a week in shifts. Shifts include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

You may work alone or in a 2-person team, in a car or in an adapted ambulance. You’ll spend a lot of time driving in one area.

The work can be physically and emotionally demanding.

You’ll wear a uniform and protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could become a team leader or supervisor. You could also become an emergency care assistant or apply to be a student paramedic.

You could also move into personnel, training, health and safety, or operations management.