Patient transport services driver
Also known as: driver in patient transport services, patient transportation services driver, PTS driver, ambulance care assistant, patient transport driver, driver of patient transport vehicle
About this occupation
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.
Essential skills and knowledge
- mechanical components of vehicles
- complete patient journey records
- adhere to organisational guidelines
- comply with legislation related to health care
- transport allocated patients
- transfer patients
- maintain vehicle appearance
- drive ambulance under non-emergency conditions
- operate an emergency communication system
- licences regulation
- follow written instructions
- maintain vehicle service
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians (O*NET 53-3011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Place patients on stretchers, and load stretchers into ambulances, usually with assistance from other attendants.
- Replace supplies and disposable items on ambulances.
- Accompany and assist emergency medical technicians on calls.
- Earn and maintain appropriate certifications.
- Drive ambulances or assist ambulance drivers in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons.
- Administer first aid, such as bandaging, splinting, or administering oxygen.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Social, Conventional
Top skills: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning
US median pay: US$35,450 a year (2025), 12,630 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Paramedics
- Orderlies
- Nursing Assistants
- Home Health Aides
- Surgical Assistants
- Medical Assistants
- Public Safety Telecommunicators
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Personal Care Aides
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.