What Does a Patient Transporter Do?

Patient transporters are responsible for safely transporting patients between healthcare facilities or within a single facility. They may also be tasked with moving equipment and supplies from one area to another.

Patient transporters must have excellent customer service skills, as they often deal directly with patients who are sick or injured. It’s their job to ensure that these patients are comfortable and safe during transport, which means providing them with the proper equipment (such as blankets or straps) and ensuring that they stay hydrated and fed during the trip.

Patient Transporter Job Duties

Patient transporters have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Monitoring patients’ mobility, comfort, and safety during transportation
• Transporting patients to and from medical facilities such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, dentists’ offices, etc.
• Ensuring that patients are comfortable during transport by providing blankets and pillows
• Driving patients to their appointments using an insured vehicle such as an ambulance or van with wheelchair access
• Maintaining patient confidentiality at all times, including during phone conversations with family members or other personnel involved in patient care
• Helping patients get into and out of vehicles safely using special equipment as needed
• Communicating with medical staff to ensure that all required paperwork has been completed prior to each trip
• Transporting patients who are bed-bound or wheelchair-bound in a safe and effective manner
• Providing emotional support to patients during transport, especially if they are experiencing pain or anxiety about their upcoming medical procedure

Patient Transporter Salary & Outlook

Patient transporters are typically paid hourly, and their salaries can vary depending on a number of factors.

• Median Annual Salary: $31,500 ($15.14/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $60,500 ($29.09/hour)

The employment of patient transporters is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

As the large baby-boom population ages, more people will need medical care and treatment. Patient transporters will be needed to move patients between healthcare facilities and to take them to appointments.

Related: 25 Patient Transporter Interview Questions and Answers

Patient Transporter Job Requirements

To become a patient transporter, you may need to have the following:

Education: A high school diploma is often a minimum requirement for patient transporters. However, some facilities may prefer a patient transporter with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. A degree in health care, nursing or another related field can provide a patient transporter with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their job duties.

Training & Experience: Patient transporters typically receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training may include shadowing another patient transporter or performing duties under the supervision of a supervisor until they are comfortable enough to work on their own.

Certifications & Licenses: Some employers may require patient transporters to obtain certification to transport certain types of patients. These certifications allow patient transporters to understand the needs of patients with specific conditions before transporting them.

Patient Transporter Skills

Patient transporters need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Patient transporters often communicate with patients and their families, as well as medical staff. They must be able to clearly convey information to patients and their families, as well as medical staff. They must also be able to listen to and understand information from medical staff.

Attention to detail: Patient transporters must be able to notice any changes in the patient’s condition. This can help them ensure the patient’s safety and comfort during the transportation process. For example, if a patient is in pain, the transporter may need to adjust the patient’s position to ensure they’re comfortable. This can help the transporter ensure the patient’s safety and comfort during the transportation process.

Dependability: Being dependable means that you can be trusted to complete tasks on time and as expected. As a patient transporter, being dependable can help you maintain a good reputation with your employer and ensure that patients receive the care they need in a timely manner.

Physical stamina: Patient transporters often walk or stand for long periods of time. Having good physical stamina can help you maintain your energy throughout your workday. You may also need to lift or move patients, so having good physical stamina can help you complete your job duties safely.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings and perspective. As a patient transporter, empathy can help you connect with patients and their families. For example, if a patient is nervous about a procedure, you can use empathy to understand their feelings and help them feel more comfortable.

Patient Transporter Work Environment

Patient transporters typically work in hospitals, but may also work in clinics, nursing homes, or other medical facilities. They may be required to work long hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may also be on call, which means they may have to work at odd hours with little or no notice. Patient transporters typically work in teams of two or more, so they can provide assistance to each other when needed. They must be able to lift and move patients who are unable to walk on their own. They also must be able to push wheelchairs and transport patients in stretchers.

Patient Transporter Trends

Here are three trends influencing how patient transporters work. Patient transporters will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Patient Transporters

As the population ages, the need for patient transporters will continue to grow. This is because older adults are more likely to require assistance with daily tasks, such as eating and bathing, which can be difficult for caregivers to manage on their own.

Patient transporters can provide a valuable service by helping to move patients from one location to another. They can also help to ensure that patients are safe and comfortable during transport.

The Importance of Customer Service

Customer service is becoming increasingly important in all industries, and healthcare is no exception. As patients become more informed about their options, they are looking for hospitals and clinics that offer excellent customer service.

Patient transporter professionals can capitalize on this trend by developing strong communication skills and providing excellent customer service. By doing so, they can set themselves apart from the competition and improve the overall experience for patients.

More Focus on Patient Safety

As hospitals and other medical facilities focus on patient safety, they are placing an increased emphasis on the role of the patient transporter.

This trend is leading to an increased demand for patient transporters who have the training and experience necessary to safely move patients throughout the hospital. In order to stay competitive, hospitals will need to hire only the best patient transporters, who can provide the highest level of care to their patients.

How to Become a Patient Transporter

A career as a patient transporter can be rewarding and fulfilling. It’s important to consider the physical demands of the job before you start, as well as your own personal preferences. Some patients may need assistance getting in and out of the vehicle, so it’s important that you are comfortable providing this type of care. You should also be prepared to handle any emergencies that may arise during transport.

Patient transporters often work for hospitals or other healthcare facilities. They may be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it’s important that you are able to work flexible hours.

Advancement Prospects

There are many opportunities for advancement for patient transporters. With experience, patient transporters can move into lead or supervisory roles, overseeing the work of other patient transporters. Some patient transporters may also move into related roles such as patient registration or discharge. With additional training, patient transporters can also become certified medical assistants or licensed practical nurses.

Patient Transporter Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide top-notch patient care by transporting patients to and from their appointments safely and efficiently. We’re looking for a patient transporter to join our team and help us provide this essential service. The ideal candidate will have a clean driving record, a valid driver’s license, and experience driving a variety of vehicles (including vans and wheelchair-accessible vehicles). He or she will also be able to lift and move patients (with assistance, as necessary), and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

As a patient transporter, you will be responsible for picking up patients from their homes or other locations and taking them to their appointments. You will also be responsible for ensuring that patients are safely loaded into and unloaded from the vehicle, and that they have all of the necessary belongings with them. In some cases, you may also be responsible for providing basic patient care, such as taking vital signs or providing hydration.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Transports patients to and from various areas within the hospital in a safe and timely manner
• Assists with moving patients from their bed to a wheelchair or stretcher, as needed
• Monitors patient conditions during transport and reports any changes to nursing staff
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff
• Maintains a clean and safe working environment
• Follows all hospital policies and procedures
• Adheres to infection control protocols
• Wears proper personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times
• Keeps accurate records of all transports
• Ensures that all equipment is properly maintained and stored
• Participates in departmental quality improvement initiatives
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record
• Ability to pass a background check
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to lift 50 pounds

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher
• BLS certification
• Previous experience working in a hospital or other healthcare setting
• Familiarity with medical terminology