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Transport & StorageISCO 8322

Patient transport services driver

A patient transport services driver is a person who carries people with disabilities, people in difficult circumstances and elderly people to healthcare facilities such as hospitals or social care centres and back again. The driver drives an ambulance and maintains all the equipment that goes with it, but in situations other than emergencies.

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Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

follow written instructions

maintain vehicle appearance

assist passengers

transfer patients

maintain vehicle service

About patient transport services driver

That last point defines the occupation. This is planned transport: a dialysis appointment, a discharge, a transfer between facilities. The vehicle and much of the equipment are the same as in emergency work, and the job is not.

The passenger is the reason the role exists. The driver moves the patients assigned to them, transfers patients physically where they cannot move themselves, and completes the patient transport documentation. Lifting and transferring a person safely, for the patient and for the driver, is a learned technique rather than a matter of strength.

On the technical side, the driver works from a knowledge of the mechanical components of vehicles, keeps the vehicle in proper condition and appearance, and works from local geography. Healthcare regulations and the organisation's guidelines apply throughout.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

mechanical components of vehiclesmechanical components of vehiclesThe mechanical components used in vehicles, their maintenance needs, potential malfunctions and resolution actions.licences regulationlicences regulationThe requirements and rules that must be compliant for a permit or licence.local geographylocal geographyThe range of physical and geographical properties and descriptions of a local area, by street names and not only.follow written instructionsfollow written instructionsFollow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.maintain vehicle appearancemaintain vehicle appearanceMaintain vehicle appearance by washing, cleaning and performing minor adjustments and repairs.assist passengersassist passengersProvide help to people getting in and out of their car or any other transportation vehicle, by opening doors, provide physical support or hold belongings. Keep safety measures and procedures in mind.transfer patientstransfer patientsUse the most appropriate techniques to handle and move patients in and out of an ambulance, hospital bed, wheelchair, etc.maintain vehicle servicemaintain vehicle serviceMonitor the health of vehicles and take measures to optimise service and execute repairs. Communicate with service workshop and dealers.comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.complete patient journey recordscomplete patient journey recordsRecord and report on the patients details related to the transportation of the patients within a given time framework.adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.drive ambulance under non-emergency conditionsdrive ambulance under non-emergency conditionsDrive and operate ambulance in non-emergency situations, usually to transport patients to various locations, as required by their health condition and the medical indications.transport allocated patientstransport allocated patientsDrive and convey the allocated patient to and from their home, hospital and any other treatment center in a caring and professional manner.operate an emergency communication systemoperate an emergency communication systemEfficiently operate common communication systems used in emergencies, such as base station mobile transmitters and receivers, portable transmitters and receivers, repeaters, cellular phones, pagers, a...follow verbal instructionsfollow verbal instructionsHave the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
Optional (10) — show
health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.older adults' needsolder adults' needsThe physical, mental, and social needs of frail, older adults.resuscitationresuscitationThe emergency procedure applied to individuals with no pulse to restore them to consciousness.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...assist patients with special needsassist patients with special needsRespond appropriately and communicate effectively with patients with special needs such as learning disabilities and difficulties, physical disabilities, mental illness, memory loss, bereavement, term...apply numeracy skillsapply numeracy skillsPractise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.assist social service users with physical disabilitiesassist social service users with physical disabilitiesHelp service users with mobility problems and other physical disabilities such as incontinence, assisting in the use and care of aids and personal equipment.communicate in foreign languages with health service providerscommunicate in foreign languages with health service providersApply foreign languages in communicating with health service providers such as doctors and nurses.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a patient transport services driver do?

Patient transport services drivers transfer disabled, vulnerable and elderly patients to and from health care facilities such as hospitals or social care settings. They drive the ambulance and maintain all the related equipment but under non-emergency circumstances.

What skills does a patient transport services driver need?

A patient transport services driver needs 15 essential skills, including mechanical components of vehicles, licences regulation, local geography, follow written instructions, maintain vehicle appearance.

Will AI replace patient transport services driver jobs?

The AI disruption score for patient transport services driver is 35/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: follow written instructions, complete patient journey records, apply numeracy skills. Most resilient: transfer patients, resuscitation, empathise with the healthcare user.

Quick Facts

SectorTransport & Storage
ISCO GroupDrivers and mobile plant operators
Essential Skills15

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