Ambulance Driver Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an ambulance driver. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an ambulance driver.
Who is an Ambulance Driver?
An ambulance driver is certified to operate a specially-designed vehicle that transports patients who are injured or sick to hospitals for treatment. Their duties include taking patients to their destination in addition to providing basic first aid if needed as well as taking patients to and from ambulances or out of them. Ambulance drivers don’t work just in hospitals, but they also work for fire and police departments as well.
Ambulance drivers are usually among the first staff members to arrive at the person in need of medical attention. They drive and control the vehicles that take sick and injured patients to hospitals. They are always employed by hospitals, police, firefighters, and community first aid teams. They also have private ambulance companies which provide emergency or invalid services. Invalid service is offered in a variety of situations such as transporting patients recuperating from hospital to nursing facilities. In certain areas, there are a majority of ambulance drivers are volunteers. Some drivers, however, are paid.
To be eligible to work in this position, it is essential to be a competent driver to swiftly yet safely transport patients from across the country. Communication is easy and the ability to keep an even pace and make swift decisions are vital for an ambulance driver.
If there is an emergency that occurs and there’s an injury, ambulance drivers arrive at the scene in a quick but safe manner. They typically help EMTs and paramedics transport patients to the ambulance and then transport the patient who is injured or sick quickly and safely to the hospital or ER and help in removing the patient. These ambulance drivers are ready to respond whenever they are needed and are accountable for keeping the ambulance clean and well-stocked. Sometimes, they’ll need to write reports describing details of the transport.
The drivers of ambulances are usually trained to become Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). EMTs provide different types of emergency care and basic life support. Different levels of EMT training provide workers with basic and intermediate capabilities. The best-trained EMTs are known as paramedics.
With the introduction of Emergency Medical Assistance (EMS) and post-hospital treatments (like CPR and defibrillation) along with the development of new medicines, the role of ambulances has grown dramatically.
They are now mini emergency rooms that are equipped with the most modern technology and life-saving equipment. The present EMS personnel are accredited medical professionals that can manage a wide range of medical emergencies. They also provide high-quality evaluation and treatment on the spot.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are just 14,740 ambulance drivers within the U.S. Additionally, there are over 262,100 paramedics as well as EMTs. The majority of them are qualified and can manage ambulances (BLS).
Certain employers, especially rural ones can employ drivers with no medical certification (or only basic first aid training) to run an ambulance. However, the majority of “ambulance drivers” today are trained to be EMTs as well as paramedics. Alongside driving the ambulance, the EMT specialists also provide vital emergency aid. Many EMTs and paramedics don’t feel satisfied to be called “ambulance drivers” because they are more than the ones operating the ambulance.
Ambulance Driver Job Description
Below are the ambulance driver job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an ambulance driver job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The job and duties of an ambulance driver include:
- Inspecting the ambulance before every shift. This involves examining the oil, fueling the transmission fluid and wiper fluid, and coolant, then notifying any repairs that are required.
- Examining the medical and first aid equipment inventory and making sure the ambulance is fully stocked.
- Assisting patients in getting onto gurneys and loading them into the ambulance.
- Driving the ambulance as fast and safely as you can to get patients to the hospital.
- Giving first aid or distributing oxygen to patients who require assistance before reaching the hospital.
- Cleaning the ambulance and eliminating any medical waste or filthy linens.
- Keeping track of your driving log by making daily entries
- Recording the names and addresses of your patients and travel times, miles, and services are done.
- Notifying accident-related information to medical personnel as well as police officers in the event of a need.
- Creating a checklist of mechanical issues before each shift to ensure that the ambulance is operating properly and ready to move patients to and from the required places
- Reporting any mechanical issues to the appropriate service personnel.
- Making sure your ambulance is clean and is stocked appropriately with medical and first aid items before every shift and in between patient transports throughout the day.
- Accepting daily assignments for patient transport and taking ambulance with any medical personnel needed to get to the location of the patient
- Transferring the patient to a designated medical facility and taking the patient to where instructed by medical personnel.
- Beginning by assisting paramedics and EMTs during emergencies to take the patients and patients’ bodies to the hospital when instructed to take them there.
- Informing about accidents or other urgent details to medical professionals and/or law enforcement if necessary
- Using the appropriate trip sheet following the requirements of your employer to keep track of each transportation
- Helping paramedics with transporting injured, sick, or convalescent people.
- Assisting medical professionals in emergencies when needed.
- Replacing disposable materials and other items found on ambulances.
- Making minor repairs to emergency medical vehicles including ambulances.
- Checking that the ambulance you have designated is up and running by fueling it at the right time, and checking the level of oil and pressure on the tires.
- Cleaning and disinfecting the assigned ambulances after each haul following the sanitation guidelines for the establishment.
- Ensuring that all the consumable items, like oxygen and medication as well as other equipment for managing emergencies, are in stock and ready for utilization.
- Making sure you take the ambulance to your location and change routes as needed.
- Assisting EMTs with installing emergency equipment, such as oxygen tanks or defibrillators.
- Offering assistance in medical procedures, such as First Aid and CPR as directed by an EMT.
- Taking an ambulance from the hospital or establishment and making sure the dispatcher is aware of the location of the ambulance
- Assisting in removing patients from the ambulance, and then rushing patients to emergency rooms.
Qualifications
- Diploma from high school or GED with a valid driver’s license.
- Minimum of two years experience in EMT and driving
- First aid course and CPR certification.
- Understanding of codes for radio communication.
- Emergency vehicle operator certification could be beneficial.
- Excellent defensive driving skills as well as an ability to comprehend maps.
- Effective communication and interpersonal abilities.
- The ability to maintain peace under pressure and calm terrified patients.
- Good judgment and ability to make decisions.
Essential Skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
Ambulance drivers typically work in high-stress situations. Family members, patients, as well as bystanders can let their emotions take over and make it difficult to perform your job. Effective communication, interpersonal, and teaching skills are crucial in calming people down before taking care of the injured.
- Flexibility
Emergencies can occur at any moment, often when you’re not prepared. When you work in this field, most times, you’ll work in environments that change constantly. You need to be ready to change from taking care of routine calls and attending to life-threatening emergencies without notice. Also, you must be prepared to handle situations that could be uncomfortable, disturbing, or risky making sure that patient safety is always a top priority throughout the day.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Critical thinking skills that are sharp and well-developed are crucial for diagnosing and assessing patients objectively and precisely. In this job, you need to be able to spot and assess issues quickly and use your best judgment to determine the most effective solutions.
- Leadership
Leadership skills can assist ambulance drivers in managing accidents and taking care of their patients. For example, they can tell people to keep a distance from the patient or request police officers to direct the crowd as they are working. They can also exercise leadership within their own teams through delegating duties and educating new members to join the team.
- Navigation and driving
Ambulance drivers have the responsibility to drive ambulances. They typically share this task, which means everyone in the team knows how to operate the ambulances. They employ defensive driving techniques to maneuver through busy streets and swiftly reach the location. Their navigational skills allow their ability to scan maps and follow directions, as well as locate injured patients in remote locations.
- Physical endurance
Some courses require ambulance drivers to pass an exercise test. These tests assess the candidate’s strength and endurance to determine if they can lift the heavy equipment for medical use. Other physical tasks include kneeling, bending, and bending doing CPR continuously, and stepping into and out of ambulances.
- Fine motor skills
Ambulance drivers require fine motor abilities to carry out medical procedures. When they treat patients with the care they can move patients into various positions, and shield themselves from injury.
- Mental resilience
This refers to your capacity to face challenges with determination and keep your head up. It also describes your mental and emotional readiness to face difficult situations. Mental strength can help an ambulance driver remain at peace around crime scenes and injured patients. It can also boost your confidence and self-esteem, allowing you to provide the highest quality emergency procedure possible.
How to Become an Ambulance Driver
Here are the steps you need to follow to start working as an ambulance operator:
- Explore career opportunities
It is important to research various options for careers in this field after you have decided to become an ambulance driver. It is possible to work in either the private or public sector, with certain important distinctions between them. The ambulance service in the public sector can offer a greater wage, however, it could also require additional qualifications, including prior driving experience, as well as EVOC and EMT certification, based on the state you are employed. However, private businesses are more likely to recruit drivers who have no experience.
Additionally, ambulance drivers working in the public sector usually are more responsive to 911 calls as well as at least one of the people on the vehicle must be a certified paramedic who has the required qualifications to work with the latest equipment. The ones who work for the private sector tend to carry less urgent patients from one hospital to another.
- Earn your degree
To be a qualified ambulance driver, you must have at least a high school diploma or a GED. In school, you must take lessons in anatomy, biology, physiology, math, and driver’s education. These courses are relevant to the duties that an ambulance driver does. While not mandatory, certain employers will choose candidates with an undergraduate degree. A degree can make you stand out from other applicants and could qualify you for promotions and better salary possibilities soon.
- Make sure you have the required certifications
There are various qualifications that employers might require when looking for an ambulance driver. Look up the requirements for your state to find out which one you must have:
- Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC)
It is a specially-designed ambulance driving certification that certain states require. The course covers subjects including safe driving and navigation by using the worldwide location technology (GPS) and the legal regulations for emergency drivers. In many scenarios, this course demands that the student complete one year of experience in emergency driving before he can be eligible for the certificate.
- Emergency Medical Training (EMT) Certification
Some states require EMT training. Vocational colleges and community colleges can provide this certificate in which students are usually educated in a real-world setting. The basic EMT courses teach you to determine the condition of a patient and manage heart, trauma, and respiratory emergencies. Most programs are comprised of 120 to 150 hours of credit and can take anywhere from one to two years of completion, based on the speed at which you complete your classes.
- CPR certification
Most employers require this type of certification. When a patient is not breathing for a long time, such as in the case of drowning or cardiac arrest, you’ll be taught how to keep oxygen moving through the lungs until the patient receives medical assistance. This certification can be obtained either in person or on the internet and could be completed in a few days.
- Keep a clean driving record
The driver’s permit of the applicant must be valid to be a licensed ambulance driver. To keep your job and progress on your path, maintaining good driving records is essential. This includes traffic offenses such as speeding tickets or being stopped under the influence.
- Work experience gained from the group
Employers will often require that you have a minimum of 1-2 years of EMT as well as driving expertise. Therefore, it’s crucial to get professional knowledge. In some cases, private companies hire drivers who have no experience. This could help you gain expertise and experience at work before obtaining the EVOC certification or furthering your career.
- Find out about career advancement and opportunities
A lot of ambulance drivers go on towards becoming emergency medical professionals or paramedics (EMTs). Getting experience in the field and earning more certifications will allow you to expand your options in the field.
Where to Work
Ambulance drivers can work in the following places
- Hospitals
- First Aid Squads
- Private ambulance companies
- The Police
Ambulance Driver Salary Scale
A typical ambulance driver across the US earns $50,115. The median bonus for Ambulance Drivers is $709, which is one percent of their earnings. This is what most respondents receive every year.
