Patient Transporter

Hospital-wide, as a member of a Transport TEAM, provides timely individual patient transport via wheelchair or cart, primarily for designated inpatients and occasional outpatients, transporting patients for designated testing, therapy, treatment, pre or post-operative care or admission/discharge. Shift assignment of patient transporter employees is pre-set by the Patient Transporter, Supervisor, who also performs dispatching duties throughout the day-shift (peak transport times) via cell phone to each TEAM patient transporter.

Responsible to coordinate patient transport with assigned charge nurse (inpatient) or technician and then safely and efficiently transport the patient, IV equipment, monitoring equipment, the medical record and oxygen equipment as required with any assigned transport. In addition, job assignments may include stock maintenance/distribution of oxygen tanks and regulators to assigned departments in the hospital.

• Introduces self to patient and explains transport plan and destination.
  • States own name and describes mode of transportation being used and destination to patient.
  • Retrieves patient's nurse if patient has questions regarding tests/therapy where they are being transferred to.
  • Obtains permission from patient’s nurse to transport patient off floor for testing/procedure
• Provides for appropriate mode of transportation considering the patient's condition, comfort, and any safety factors.
  • Uses critical thinking skills to determine mode of transport.
  • Contacts nursing staff with questions related to transport and gets a ticket-to-ride (TTR) signed by registered nurse (RN).
  • Coordinates tasks when able.
  • Anticipates problems and follows through.
• Transfers patient to/from cart, wheelchair, or other transport vehicle according to procedure and is knowledgeable and effectively operates transport equipment.
  • Maintains proper body mechanics.
  • Uses patient lift equipment.
  • Seeks assistance when necessary, i.e. carts, electronic devices, etc.
• Identifies patient prior to transport.
  • Asks patient to state their name.
  • Checks patient identification bracelet.
  • Alerts staff when patient's bracelet is missing.
• Completes tasks as assigned through capacity management.
• Determines patient code status prior to transport.
  • Checks Capacity Management for (LH entity)
  • Reminds staff when (LH entity)
• Uses appropriate isolation techniques and complies with universal precautions.
  • According to isolation posting, secures and dons appropriate protective equipment before entering patient's room.
  • Removes their PPE and follows hand washing protocol before taking patient out of room.
  • Ensures patient is wearing PPE, when appropriate, before taking patient out of their room.
• Stores and cleans transport equipment appropriately throughout the day.
  • Reports broken equipment.
  • Returns transport equipment to department when able.
• Assists in coordinating patient trips.
  • Obtains permission from nursing staff for patient transport from one ancillary department to another.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Communication with patients/family/department coworkers/ancillary departments and supervisors essential for the function of successful performance of this job.
  • Communicates effectively with patient/family, visitors and other members of the healthcare team
  • Maintains ongoing shift communication (daylight shift) with the Patient Transporter, Supervisor for patient delays, issues, problems and temporary reassignment as necessary to keep patient throughput efficient
  • Uses chain of command in the department effectively.
  • Maintains dignity and confidentiality of all patients encountered at Excela Health, directly or indirectly.
  • Ensures transport cell phone is working properly, transferring phone to patient transporter on duty or appropriate voice mail direction per Excela Health standards.
  • Responsible to check in with and assist co-workers with lift help or transport of difficult patients or volume patient load during any down-time period
• Safely transport of patients within the hospital for testing, procedures, surgery, treatment or admission/discharge
  • Operate wheelchairs for safe transport of patients within the hospital, following…