Patient Transport

Major Responsibilities

Transporting of Patients

• Ensure courteous, timely processing of all requests for all forms of transport including, but not limited to: inpatient transportation, discharges and escorts for disabled outpatients.
• Routinely checks the patient wristband to verify patient identity correctly.
• Ensures that the patient is transported with all necessary items including
  
  

IV's, oxygen, shoes, robe, personal items, etc.

• Accompanies patient at all times and does not leave the patient until they are handed off to other designated hospital personnel.
• Delivers patient to their destination in a timely manner.
• Consistently and appropriately introduces him/herself to the patient, the purpose for their interaction and the patient's intended destination.
• Consistently offers to make the patient as comfortable as possible by offering blankets, pillows, etc.
• Communicates patient needs to nursing personnel or therapist.
• Communicates problems related to the patient condition to the nurse or therapist.
• Familiar with all locations of the hospital and campus.
  
  

Transporters are responsible for providing and maintaining a safe environment for themselves, the patient and their co-workers by following established policies and procedures.

• Washes hands before and after each patient.
• Follows isolation procedures.
• Uses correct body mechanics/lifting techniques when transferring patients.
• Cleans soiled equipment regularly to avoid spread of disease.
• Reports potential safety hazards.
• Familiar with hospital emergency codes, plans, and procedures.
• Uses and maintains equipment in proper operating order.
  
  

Transporting of Equipment, Medications, Specimens, Supplies

• Pickup and delivery of documents, ad hoc supplies and specimens not transportable by the pneumatic tube system.
• Pickup, delivery and redistribution of patient equipment as needed.
• Uses transportation equipment in a safe manner.
• Identifies any broken pieces of equipment used by the Central Transport Department and labels it for repair.
• Demonstrates an awareness of the potential risks and safety hazards from the use of the equipment on a daily basis.
• Ensures cleanliness of wheelchair fleet, stretchers, cushions, lap trays and armrests following patient transports.
• Returns equipment to proper storage after use.
• Completes training in body mechanics, Standard Precautions and use of all equipment.
  
  

Documentation, Maintenance of Departmental Logs and Daily Operations

• Provides updated documentation and logs of all special procedures for Quality Assurance/Process Improvement.
• Maintains current CPR certification.
• Signs the patient in and out of the unit.
• Answers phones and greets customers in a professional and courteous manner.
• Conveys messages accurately.
• Fills out an patient safety event for any potential or actual safety events.
• Follows all confidentiality policies and procedures of the hospital, refraining from discussing confidential information with co-workers, friends and family members.
• Responsible to maintain the cleanliness of the Central Transport office space.
  
  

Transporting of Patients - Privacy

• Maintains knowledge of the location of various functions on the hospital campus.
• Restricts the patient from reading his/her chart unless in the presence of a medical professional.
• Opens the patient chart only to check for Alert Page and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) restrictions.
• Maintains communication with the Supervisor and responds to special instructions and/or assignments.
• Ensures that the privacy of the patient is properly protected.
• Follows all confidentiality policies and procedures of the hospital.
• Refrains from discussing confidential information with co-workers, friends and family members.
  
  

Transporting of Patients - Communications

• Appropriately converses with patient during the transportation phase providing a friendly atmosphere and keeping the patient's spirits up.
• Informs nursing personnel or therapist in a timely manner of delays and/or cancellations, along with reason for the delay/cancellation.
• Informs the nurse when the patient is returned to the unit.
• Appropriately ends the patient interaction by using the organizational script.
• Receives handover when accepting the patient and provides handover when transfering patient to the care of other peronnel. Education/Experience Required: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: Strong communications skills.
  
  

Strong interpersonal skills. CPR Certification.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Assist in lifting patients and equipment.

Must be willing to work with exposures to body fluids, waste and chemicals, radiation, hazardous materials, anesthesia gases and life threatening diseases.

Ability to work weekends, holidays and rotating shifts to accommodate patient need.

Ability to move heavy patients and equipment and to walk and stand for long periods of time.

Resiliency and flexibility to deal with changing situations.

Ability to communicate via phone, handheld radio and pager.

Ability to work in high stress situations.

Ability to respond to all fire and emergency codes.

This position will need to recognize needs and behaviors of a variety of age group demographics treated. If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015.

Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.